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US charges over Haditha killings Iraq murder charges for US marine
(about 13 hours later)
The US military is to announce charges against a group of marines accused of killing Iraqi civilians in Haditha. A US marine sergeant has been charged with multiple counts of murdering Iraqi civilians in Haditha, his lawyer says.
Twenty-four men, women and children died in the incident in November 2005. Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich was charged with murdering 12 Iraqis and ordering his subordinates to kill six people, defence attorney Neal Puckett said.
The US military initially said they were killed in a roadside blast and exchange of fire but subsequent reports alleged the US soldiers killed them. There is no news on whether other marines have been charged.
Lawyers for the marines have said they did not act outside the laws of war. It is not clear whether the charges filed will include murder. Twenty-four men, women and children died in the incident in November 2005, which the US military initially said was a bomb blast and exchange of fire.
Defence lawyers say the men from Kilo Company in America's First Marine Division were engaged in a furious battle on 19 November 2005 in Haditha after a roadside bomb exploded, killing one marine and injuring two others. Frank Wuterich is one of a group of marines from Kilo Company in America's First Marine Division who, according to their lawyers, were engaged in a furious battle on 19 November 2005 in Haditha after a roadside bomb exploded, killing one marine and injuring two others.
DEATH IN HADITHA November 2005: Initial US military report One US marine killed in roadside bomb, two injuredExplosion also kills 15 Iraqi civiliansEight insurgents killed in fire-fight following blast January 2006: US military preliminary investigation One US marine killed in roadside bomb, two injuredFifteen civilians accidentally killed by US fire amid battle with insurgents March 2006: US military begins criminal investigation Massacre and cover-up? DEATH IN HADITHA November 2005: Initial US military report One US marine killed in roadside bomb, two injuredExplosion also kills 15 Iraqi civiliansEight insurgents killed in fire-fight following blast January 2006: US military preliminary investigation One US marine killed in roadside bomb, two injuredFifteen civilians accidentally killed by US fire amid battle with insurgents March 2006: US military begins criminal investigation Massacre and cover-up?
It is known that five unarmed men were shot dead in a car when they approached the scene in a taxi and others, including women and children, died in three houses over the next few hours.It is known that five unarmed men were shot dead in a car when they approached the scene in a taxi and others, including women and children, died in three houses over the next few hours.
Those who died included a 76-year old man, and a three-year-old child. There were also several women among the dead. Those who died included a 76-year-old man and a three-year-old child. There were also several women among the dead.
An initial marine press statement said that some civilians were killed in the initial explosion and others in crossfire by insurgents.An initial marine press statement said that some civilians were killed in the initial explosion and others in crossfire by insurgents.
But local people say that there was no bullets fired other than by the marines. But local people say that there were no bullets fired other than by the marines.
The defence lawyers accept that innocent civilians may have died during the chaos but they deny pre-meditated killing. The defence lawyers accept that innocent civilians may have died during the chaos but they deny premeditated killing.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called the deaths a "terrible crime".Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called the deaths a "terrible crime".
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says it seems certain that charges are going to be filed but that the big question is whether those charges will include murder.
Dangerous placeDangerous place
There was no full US investigation into what happened until three months later when video footage that was taken by a local human rights activist of the aftermath reached Time Magazine.There was no full US investigation into what happened until three months later when video footage that was taken by a local human rights activist of the aftermath reached Time Magazine.
Once their report showed flaws in the initial marine statement, an investigation began. The investigation is complete, and criminal charges are expected on Thursday.Once their report showed flaws in the initial marine statement, an investigation began. The investigation is complete, and criminal charges are expected on Thursday.
The Haditha inquiry is just one of a number the US military has been conducting into incidents of alleged unlawful killings by US forces in Iraq.The Haditha inquiry is just one of a number the US military has been conducting into incidents of alleged unlawful killings by US forces in Iraq.
Haditha is the furthest in a string of settlements up the Euphrates that have been prominent in the Sunni insurgency. Haditha is the furthest in a string of settlements up the Euphrates that have been prominent in the Sunni insurgency. Anbar province, which includes Haditha, remains the most dangerous place in Iraq for Americans.
Anbar province, which includes Haditha, remains the most dangerous place in Iraq for Americans.
About 100 US troops have been killed there since August this year.About 100 US troops have been killed there since August this year.