This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19918398

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Royal Marines arrested in murder inquiry Royal Marines arrested in murder inquiry
(about 3 hours later)
Seven Royal Marines have been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Ministry of Defence has said.Seven Royal Marines have been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Ministry of Defence has said.
In a statement it said the arrests by the Royal Military Police related to an incident in Afghanistan last year. The arrests by the Royal Military Police related to an incident in Afghanistan last year, when 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand.
It said the incident followed an "engagement with an insurgent" and no civilians were involved. The MoD said the incident followed an "engagement with an insurgent" and no civilians were involved.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said it was the first time UK servicemen had been arrested on such charges during the conflict. It is thought it is the first time UK servicemen have been arrested on such charges during the conflict.
An MoD spokesman said: "The Royal Military Police have arrested seven Royal Marines on suspicion of murder. The arrests relate to an incident in Afghanistan in 2011. An MoD spokesman said: "The investigation will now be taken forward and dealt with by the service justice system.
"The incident followed an engagement with an insurgent; there were no civilians involved. The investigation will now be taken forward and dealt with by the service justice system.
"These arrests demonstrate the Department and the Armed Forces' determination to ensure UK personnel act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards."These arrests demonstrate the Department and the Armed Forces' determination to ensure UK personnel act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards.
"It would be inappropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is under way.""It would be inappropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is under way."
The statement did not name the marines or give any further details of the incident. BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the rules of engagement stipulated under what circumstances British forces were allowed to open fire, either in direct contact with the enemy or to prevent an imminent attack.
But troops often face making split-second decisions and know they may be prosecuted if they make mistakes or act beyond that remit, she added.
The MoD said that as with any serious incident of this nature, there would be an internal review to identify lessons learned.
Some 23 servicemen from 3 Commando Brigade lost their lives in 2011 during a summer tour of duty that encompassed the height of the fighting season, while many more were injured.
Altogether, they conducted 41,000 patrols after taking over command of Task Force Helmand in April that year - the fourth time that 3 Commando Brigade had deployed on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.