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| Ex-US soldier who 'fought in Syria' could face execution | Ex-US soldier who 'fought in Syria' could face execution |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A former US soldier who allegedly fought Syrian government forces with a group linked to al-Qaeda could face the death penalty, prosecutors have said. | A former US soldier who allegedly fought Syrian government forces with a group linked to al-Qaeda could face the death penalty, prosecutors have said. |
| They told a court that Eric Harroun, 30, could face execution if his actions are found to have caused a death. | They told a court that Eric Harroun, 30, could face execution if his actions are found to have caused a death. |
| During interviews with the FBI, Mr Harroun allegedly said he had shot 10 people in Syria, but was not sure if he had killed anyone. | |
| He was denied bail at Monday's hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. | He was denied bail at Monday's hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. |
| Mr Harroun, who has been charged with using a weapon outside the US, allegedly fought in Syria with the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate. | Mr Harroun, who has been charged with using a weapon outside the US, allegedly fought in Syria with the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate. |
| The group wanted Mr Harroun to act as their spokesman, but he declined to accept the role, prosecutors added. | The group wanted Mr Harroun to act as their spokesman, but he declined to accept the role, prosecutors added. |
| Defence lawyers said the al-Nusra Front shares the US government's opinion that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad must go. | Defence lawyers said the al-Nusra Front shares the US government's opinion that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad must go. |
| "It is extremely unusual for the US to charge a person who is fighting in a manner that is aligned with US interests," said public defender Geremy Kamens. | "It is extremely unusual for the US to charge a person who is fighting in a manner that is aligned with US interests," said public defender Geremy Kamens. |
| Mr Harroun served in the army from 2000-03 and is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction outside the US. | Mr Harroun served in the army from 2000-03 and is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction outside the US. |
| According to a criminal complaint, Mr Harroun is accused of crossing into Syria in January 2013 and fighting alongside members of Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front) against Mr Assad's forces. | According to a criminal complaint, Mr Harroun is accused of crossing into Syria in January 2013 and fighting alongside members of Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front) against Mr Assad's forces. |
| He allegedly fought as part of a group using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), but is not charged with providing material support to a terror group. | He allegedly fought as part of a group using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), but is not charged with providing material support to a terror group. |
| Mr Harroun was medically discharged from the Army in 2003 after a car accident and lived in Phoenix, Arizona. | |
| He never served overseas, according to an Army spokesman. | |
| In March, the FBI spoke to the former soldier in three voluntary interviews at the US consulate in Istanbul. | |
| Officials say he told them he wanted to fight with the Free Syrian Army against the Assad regime and allegedly confirmed he had been fighting with al-Nusra. |