Post by Jaga on Nov 15, 2007 9:49:59 GMT -7
this is a big news in Poland today:
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Prosecutors charged six Polish soldiers Wednesday with murder and violating international law in the deaths of several civilians in an allegedly unprovoked attack in Afghanistan.
A seventh soldier involved in the Aug. 16 attack on the Nangarkhel village faces lesser charges, said Karol Frankowski, a military prosecutor in the western city of Poznan.
The criminal charges were the first brought against Polish soldiers in connection with military actions while serving in Afghanistan. Several soldiers who served in Iraq were found guilty of corruption while on duty.
The group is accused of firing mortars and machine guns on the village in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika without "any simultaneous, direct threat," in violation of The Hague and Geneva conventions protecting civilians in areas of armed conflict, Frankowski said.
Six civilians — including children — were killed and three women suffered wounds that resulted in amputated limbs, Frankowski said.
If found guilty, the six charged with murder face prison terms of between 12 years and life, and the seventh soldier could face at least five years in prison.
A military judge ordered the seven to be held in custody for three months.
Frankowski said the seven had been sent to the village "several hours" after a Polish patrol struck a roadside bomb nearby. Although no Taliban fighters were found in the village, the troops opened fire, Frankowski said, citing the indictment.
...
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4qmQAl5nxlPtm1xGaeXbhyTufNwD8STLU480
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Prosecutors charged six Polish soldiers Wednesday with murder and violating international law in the deaths of several civilians in an allegedly unprovoked attack in Afghanistan.
A seventh soldier involved in the Aug. 16 attack on the Nangarkhel village faces lesser charges, said Karol Frankowski, a military prosecutor in the western city of Poznan.
The criminal charges were the first brought against Polish soldiers in connection with military actions while serving in Afghanistan. Several soldiers who served in Iraq were found guilty of corruption while on duty.
The group is accused of firing mortars and machine guns on the village in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika without "any simultaneous, direct threat," in violation of The Hague and Geneva conventions protecting civilians in areas of armed conflict, Frankowski said.
Six civilians — including children — were killed and three women suffered wounds that resulted in amputated limbs, Frankowski said.
If found guilty, the six charged with murder face prison terms of between 12 years and life, and the seventh soldier could face at least five years in prison.
A military judge ordered the seven to be held in custody for three months.
Frankowski said the seven had been sent to the village "several hours" after a Polish patrol struck a roadside bomb nearby. Although no Taliban fighters were found in the village, the troops opened fire, Frankowski said, citing the indictment.
...
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4qmQAl5nxlPtm1xGaeXbhyTufNwD8STLU480