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Decorated US soldier 'admitted murder in CIA job interview' | Decorated US soldier 'admitted murder in CIA job interview' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A decorated US special forces soldier has been charged with an Afghan man's murder, which he reportedly admitted while applying for a job with the CIA. | A decorated US special forces soldier has been charged with an Afghan man's murder, which he reportedly admitted while applying for a job with the CIA. |
US Army Green Beret Major Matthew Golsteyn allegedly shot someone he described as a suspected Taliban bomb-maker during his 2010 deployment. | US Army Green Beret Major Matthew Golsteyn allegedly shot someone he described as a suspected Taliban bomb-maker during his 2010 deployment. |
Maj Golsteyn also subsequently spoke about the incident during an interview with Fox News. | Maj Golsteyn also subsequently spoke about the incident during an interview with Fox News. |
He denies the charge and maintains he did not violate rules of engagement. | He denies the charge and maintains he did not violate rules of engagement. |
US Army Special Operations Command spokesman Lt Col Loren Bymer said in a statement: "Major Matthew Golsteyn's immediate commander has determined that sufficient evidence exists to warrant the preferral of charges against him." | US Army Special Operations Command spokesman Lt Col Loren Bymer said in a statement: "Major Matthew Golsteyn's immediate commander has determined that sufficient evidence exists to warrant the preferral of charges against him." |
Maj Golsteyn's lawyer, Phil Stackhouse, told US media he would be "relentless" in defending his client from the charges, which he was notified of on Thursday. | Maj Golsteyn's lawyer, Phil Stackhouse, told US media he would be "relentless" in defending his client from the charges, which he was notified of on Thursday. |
"Major Golsteyn is a humble servant-leader who saved countless lives, both American and Afghan, and has been recognised repeatedly for his valorous actions," Mr Stackhouse said. | "Major Golsteyn is a humble servant-leader who saved countless lives, both American and Afghan, and has been recognised repeatedly for his valorous actions," Mr Stackhouse said. |
He was a captain during his 2010 deployment when his heroism won him a Silver Star, the Army Times reports. | He was a captain during his 2010 deployment when his heroism won him a Silver Star, the Army Times reports. |
The award was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for valour. | The award was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for valour. |
During Major Golsteyn's time there, two Marines from his unit were killed by a booby-trapped bomb. | |
In 2011 he took a routine lie detector test during an interview process for a job with the CIA. | In 2011 he took a routine lie detector test during an interview process for a job with the CIA. |
He allegedly told interviewers that on 22 February 2010 he and another soldier had taken an alleged Taliban bomb-maker off base, shot him and buried his remains, reports NBC News. | He allegedly told interviewers that on 22 February 2010 he and another soldier had taken an alleged Taliban bomb-maker off base, shot him and buried his remains, reports NBC News. |
The admission led the Army Criminal Investigation Command to investigate Maj Golsteyn in 2011. | The admission led the Army Criminal Investigation Command to investigate Maj Golsteyn in 2011. |
In April 2014, he got off with an official reprimand because of lack of evidence. | In April 2014, he got off with an official reprimand because of lack of evidence. |
Two years later, Maj Golsteyn spoke on a Fox News special report, titled "How We Fight", about how he killed the suspected bomb-maker. | Two years later, Maj Golsteyn spoke on a Fox News special report, titled "How We Fight", about how he killed the suspected bomb-maker. |
He told the anchor he shot the man because he was concerned he would kill Afghan informants if released. | He told the anchor he shot the man because he was concerned he would kill Afghan informants if released. |
A congressman sided with Maj Golsteyn, writing a letter to the Army secretary to complain about the investigation. | A congressman sided with Maj Golsteyn, writing a letter to the Army secretary to complain about the investigation. |
Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, called for an end to the "retaliatory and vindictive" inquiry into "a distinguished and well regarded Green Beret". | Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, called for an end to the "retaliatory and vindictive" inquiry into "a distinguished and well regarded Green Beret". |
Maj Golsteyn was placed on leave, but has since been recalled to active duty, according to Army Times. | |
He is charged with premeditated murder, which carries a possible death penalty. | He is charged with premeditated murder, which carries a possible death penalty. |
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