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| US marines face Iraq murder trial | US marines face Iraq murder trial |
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| Two US marines have been charged with the murder of Iraqi civilians in Haditha last year, defence lawyers say. | Two US marines have been charged with the murder of Iraqi civilians in Haditha last year, defence lawyers say. |
| Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich was charged with the unpremeditated murder of 12 Iraqis and ordering his troops to kill six people, lawyer Neal Puckett said. | Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich was charged with the unpremeditated murder of 12 Iraqis and ordering his troops to kill six people, lawyer Neal Puckett said. |
| Lance Cpl Justin Sharratt has also been charged with three such counts, his legal representatives say. Up to six others could yet be charged. | Lance Cpl Justin Sharratt has also been charged with three such counts, his legal representatives say. Up to six others could yet be charged. |
| The US military initially said the 24 dead civilians were killed in unrest. | The US military initially said the 24 dead civilians were killed in unrest. |
| Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. | Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. |
| The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the case has provoked debate about the training and leadership of American troops in Iraq and the way in which counter-insurgency operations are being conducted there. | The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the case has provoked debate about the training and leadership of American troops in Iraq and the way in which counter-insurgency operations are being conducted there. |
| 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 class="">What happened at Haditha? The defence team 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. | |
| 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 place | Dangerous place |
| According to the charge sheets, Sgt Wuterich ordered his men to "shoot first and ask questions later" when they entered a house, the Associated Press news agency reported. | According to the charge sheets, Sgt Wuterich ordered his men to "shoot first and ask questions later" when they entered a house, the Associated Press news agency reported. |
| 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. | Once their report showed flaws in the initial marine statement, an investigation began. |
| 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, 96km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, is the furthest in a string of settlements up the Euphrates that have been prominent in the Sunni insurgency. | Haditha, 96km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, 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. |