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Iraq murder charges for US marine US marines face Iraq murder case
(10 minutes later)
A US marine sergeant has been charged with multiple counts of murdering Iraqi civilians in Haditha, his lawyer says. Two US marines have been charged with murdering Iraqi civilians in Haditha last year, defence lawyers say.
Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich was charged with murdering 12 Iraqis and ordering his subordinates to kill six people, defence attorney Neal Puckett said. Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich was charged with murdering 12 Iraqis and ordering his subordinates to kill six people, defence lawyer Neal Puckett said.
There is no news on whether other marines have been charged. Lance Cpl Justin Sharratt has also been charged with three counts of murder and up to six others could yet be charged.
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. Twenty-four men, women and children died in the incident. The US military initially said they died in unrest.
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. Defence lawyers say a group of marines 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.
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 were 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 premeditated 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".
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. Anbar province, which includes Haditha, remains the most dangerous place in Iraq for Americans.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.
About 100 US troops have been killed there since August this year.About 100 US troops have been killed there since August this year.