U.S. launches criminal probe on soldiers in Afghanistan

[LiberalNation]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100520/ts_nm/us_afghanistan_deaths_usa

KABUL (Reuters) – The United States has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of American soldiers were responsible for the "unlawful deaths" of at least three Afghan civilians, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

"There are also allegations of illegal drug use, assault and conspiracy," the military said in a statement, adding that while no charges had yet been laid, one soldier was in pre-trial confinement.

The United States, which has the bulk of some 140,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, has been criticized several times by rights groups and Afghans for allegedly maltreating civilians and torturing suspected militant prisoners.

"United States forces Afghanistan has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that a small number of U.S. soldiers were responsible for the unlawful deaths of as many as three Afghan civilians," the statement said.

[LiberalNation]

Army: Soldier charged in 3 Afghan civilian deaths

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100605/ap_on_re_us/us_us_afghan_probe

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – The Army said Friday a soldier has been charged with the murders of three Afghan civilians.

A statement from the Army said Spc. Jeremy Morlock had been charged with three counts of premeditated murder and one count of assault.

Morlock, 22, of Wasilla, Alaska, is an infantryman assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

He entered the military in June 2006 and received initial entry training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., reporting to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in December 2006.

Morlock deployed in July 2009 with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to the Washington state base Thursday. He was charged Friday and has been placed in pretrial confinement.

Joint Base spokeswoman Lt. Col. Tamara Parker said the charges against Morlock involve three separate events alleged to have occurred between January and May at or near Forward Operating Base Ramrod in Afghanistan. She said she had no further details on the victims or circumstances.

Parker said other soldiers were being investigated but she could only discuss Morlock since he is the only one to have returned to the Washington state base.

Parker said she did not know whether Morlock was represented by a lawyer yet.

The maximum penalty for conviction for premeditated murder would be life in prison or the death penalty, Parker said. Army prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

[SassyLady]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100520/ts_nm/us_afghanistan_deaths_usa

KABUL (Reuters) – The United States has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of American soldiers were responsible for the "unlawful deaths" of at least three Afghan civilians, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

"There are also allegations of illegal drug use, assault and conspiracy," the military said in a statement, adding that while no charges had yet been laid, one soldier was in pre-trial confinement.

The United States, which has the bulk of some 140,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, has been criticized several times by rights groups and Afghans for allegedly maltreating civilians and torturing suspected militant prisoners.

"United States forces Afghanistan has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that a small number of U.S. soldiers were responsible for the unlawful deaths of as many as three Afghan civilians," the statement said.

You know RandiB, uh, I mean Libby, if it wasn't for you we would never hear the bad/negative side of our military .... you are absolutely relentless in tracking down as much negative stuff as you can and then posting it here so we can see it....and to think you are a new recruit for the Kentucky Guard.....how lucky for them. :eek:

I might have a little respect for the fact that you've joined the Guard, but I can't even begin to think of you as a soldier until you can find something positive to say about the military.....other than what it can do for your personally.

[Gaffer]

She's a lib, it's always going to be about her. She better be careful, one day she may find herself on the receiving end of a military investigation.

[SassyLady]

She's a lib, it's always going to be about her. She better be careful, one day she may find herself on the receiving end of a military investigation.

Perhaps......you just never know.

[LiberalNation]

wont be for killing civilians.....

[SassyLady]

wont be for killing civilians.....

There are worse things than killing civilians ... especially if those civilians are shooting at you.

There is treason, cowardice, etc.

[LiberalNation]

murder is the worst crime, cowardice pales in comparison.

[Gaffer]

The chances are very good that those weren't civilians and the chance are even better they were supporters of the taliban.

[LiberalNation]

yeah, the military justice charges troops for nothing. Stop being a murders apologist. He will get his day in court.

[CSM]

yeah, the military justice charges troops for nothing. Stop being a murders apologist. He will get his day in court.

Actually, as you will soon discover, there are commanders out there who try to execute military justice for political gain (which is equivalent to "nothing" in my book).

I would suggest that you stop being the accussed's prosecutor until you know all the facts. I hope for your sake that your version of military justice is never applied to yourself; the fact that you call the accused a murderer means you have already convicted without benefit of a trial.

[Gaffer]

I will always stand behind a combat trooper until it's being 100% proven that he was wrong. When you been there and done that you can complain, until then you sit down and remain quiet. And as CSM said, it's most likely a political move on the part of a senior officer. Someone's eying a promotion.

[LiberalNation]

you have to be a real shit bag to try and send a man to prison for the rest of his life for personal gain. Let us hope now.