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US soldier jailed for Iraq deaths | US soldier jailed for Iraq deaths |
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A US soldier has been jailed for eight months after admitting playing a part in the killings of four Iraqi men in April 2007. | A US soldier has been jailed for eight months after admitting playing a part in the killings of four Iraqi men in April 2007. |
Specialist Steven Ribordy, 25, admitted standing watch as fellow soldiers shot the four Iraqi prisoners, then threw their bodies into a canal. | Specialist Steven Ribordy, 25, admitted standing watch as fellow soldiers shot the four Iraqi prisoners, then threw their bodies into a canal. |
He pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder, in a deal that will see him testify against members of his unit. | He pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder, in a deal that will see him testify against members of his unit. |
Three soldiers have been charged with murder in connection with the case. | Three soldiers have been charged with murder in connection with the case. |
'Retribution' | 'Retribution' |
A total of seven men have been accused of involvement in the killings. | A total of seven men have been accused of involvement in the killings. |
The unidentified Iraqis were captured by a US patrol after a shoot-out with insurgents near Baghdad, witnesses have told previous hearings of the US military court. | The unidentified Iraqis were captured by a US patrol after a shoot-out with insurgents near Baghdad, witnesses have told previous hearings of the US military court. |
Prosecutors say the men were killed in retribution for casualties sustained by the soldiers' unit. | Prosecutors say the men were killed in retribution for casualties sustained by the soldiers' unit. |
Ribordy told the military court that he stood guard as the men were shot, then later helped push one of the bodies into the canal. | Ribordy told the military court that he stood guard as the men were shot, then later helped push one of the bodies into the canal. |
He said he was sorry for his actions. "The reason I didn't say anything was because of loyalty to my comrades," he said. | He said he was sorry for his actions. "The reason I didn't say anything was because of loyalty to my comrades," he said. |
Three men, Sgt John Hatley, Sgt 1st Class Joseph Mayo and Sgt Michael Leahy Jr, have been charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice. | Three men, Sgt John Hatley, Sgt 1st Class Joseph Mayo and Sgt Michael Leahy Jr, have been charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and obstruction of justice. |
Last month another soldier was jailed for seven months under a similar plea deal to Ribordy's. Cases against two other soldiers are pending. | Last month another soldier was jailed for seven months under a similar plea deal to Ribordy's. Cases against two other soldiers are pending. |
US troops in Iraq have faced several accusations of unlawfully killing civilians and abusing detainees, prompting inquiries into their conduct. | US troops in Iraq have faced several accusations of unlawfully killing civilians and abusing detainees, prompting inquiries into their conduct. |
In the largest case, eight marines were originally charged in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha, in Anbar province, on 19 November 2005. | In the largest case, eight marines were originally charged in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha, in Anbar province, on 19 November 2005. |
Only one marine - Sgt Frank Wuterich - still faces charges in relation to the incident. He will be tried on nine counts of voluntary manslaughter later this year. | Only one marine - Sgt Frank Wuterich - still faces charges in relation to the incident. He will be tried on nine counts of voluntary manslaughter later this year. |