Five Royal
Marines charged with murder over the death of an insurgent in Afghanistan in
2011
guardian.co.uk, Jonathan Haynes, Sunday 14 October 2012
 |
| British soldiers in Helmand: the incident took place last year but it is thought investigators only began inquiries in recent weeks. Photograph: Corporal Barry Lloyd Rlc/AFP |
Five Royal
Marines have been charged with murder over the death of an insurgent in
Afghanistan in 2011.
Seven
marines were arrested on 11 October by the Royal Military police. Two more were
later arrested, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Four have been released
without charge pending further inquiries, the Ministry of Defence said.
The
incident took place in Helmand province last year, but it is thought
investigators only began an inquiry in recent weeks.
An MoD
spokesman said: "The Royal Military police has referred the cases of the
remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority.
"Following
direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they
remain in custody pending court proceedings.
"It
would be inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing investigation,"
the spokesman added.
The
soldiers, believed to be members of 3 Commando Brigade, were arrested in
connection with an incident described as "an engagement with an
insurgent", with no civilians involved.
During a
six-month tour of duty in 2010, which lasted from April to October, seven
servicemen from 3 Commando Brigade were killed in action, all from 42 Commando.
The tour, Operation Herrick 14, was the unit's fourth and saw the force score
notable successes in capturing explosives from the Taliban.
The rules
of engagement, largely derived from the Geneva conventions, dictate under what
circumstances British troops are allowed to open fire, whether to prevent an
attack by the enemy or in direct contact.
The arrests
are thought to be the first time UK servicemen have been held on suspicion of
such charges during the conflict in Afghanistan.
A
Territorial Army soldier was investigated by military officials after shooting
dead a suspected Taliban bomber in the Nahr-e-Saraj area of central Helmand in
the summer of 2010.
Senior
officers believed the man may have been an innocent farmer. But after an
18-month inquiry no charges were brought against Fusilier Duane Knott, who said
he had no regrets over his action.
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