I guess Miss Molson Indy has gone AWOL!! Too bad, there was a great discussion going here.... it's my understanding the British soldier in the article below was investigated by his C.O., and cleared of wrongdoing, yet for some reason charges were laid by Metro (UK) Police. Can anyone confirm this, with a credible refernce source, i.e. journal or similar piece? I am toying with some idea's for a new thread on this matter, which will once again bring up the subject matter of a professional organization which enjoys some measure of deference from civilian entities. I am specifically looking for the scenario leading to events from which the charges stem. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
W601.
From the Guardian:
British soldier charged with murder of Iraqi civilian
Tuesday September 7, 2004
Police today charged a 21-year-old British soldier with the murder of an Iraqi civilian, the first civilian murder charge in connection with the war in Iraq.
A Metropolitan police spokesman said trooper Kevin Williams, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, would appear at Bow Street magistrates court later today charged with the murder of Hassan Said.
In May, the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, ordered a civilian police investigation into the death of Said, who died in ad-Dayr, near Basra in south-eastern Iraq, on August 3 2003. Said is believed to have been shot while being arrested, but little has been made public about the incident in which he died.
Lord Goldsmith was expected to make a statement in connection with the case later today.
The British military has launched 131 investigations into deaths and injuries of Iraqis, in incidents ranging from combat to detentions to road accidents. Seven cases cover detainees who died in custody. Lord Goldsmith announced in June that four soldiers would be charged in military courts with sexually abusing detainees.
The government has previously expressed regret and sympathy for the deaths of Iraqi civilians, but it is fighting a lawsuit by the families of six Iraqis allegedly killed by British troops, who have gone to the high court in London seeking to force an independent investigation. Hassan Said's case is not among these.
The government says it has paid more than £142,000 in compensation to settle 106 cases of death, injury and property damage in Iraq. Another 537 claims have been denied, while 149 remain under investigation.
Today the prime minister, Tony Blair, said that most of the 8,000 British troops in Iraq "have done a fantastic job an amazing job in Basra and elsewhere". Mr Blair told reporters at his monthly press conference that it was important British troops "adhere to high standards, and where they don't we take action".