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| German skull row troops suspended | German skull row troops suspended |
| (about 21 hours later) | |
| Germany has suspended four more troops in a row over photos of German soldiers posing with skulls in Afghanistan - bringing the total suspensions to six. | Germany has suspended four more troops in a row over photos of German soldiers posing with skulls in Afghanistan - bringing the total suspensions to six. |
| The Ministry of Defence says 23 people are now being investigated. Sixteen of those involved are soldiers currently in active service, officials say. | The Ministry of Defence says 23 people are now being investigated. Sixteen of those involved are soldiers currently in active service, officials say. |
| Last week two soldiers were suspended after the macabre pictures were published in the popular daily Bild. | Last week two soldiers were suspended after the macabre pictures were published in the popular daily Bild. |
| Since then photos of similar, separate incidents have emerged. | Since then photos of similar, separate incidents have emerged. |
| RTL TV showed images of a soldier kissing a skull, and of skulls mounted in a pile. | RTL TV showed images of a soldier kissing a skull, and of skulls mounted in a pile. |
| Prosecutors have said the six could face charges of disturbing the peace of the dead, which carries a prison sentence of up to three years. | Prosecutors have said the six could face charges of disturbing the peace of the dead, which carries a prison sentence of up to three years. |
| Origins of remains | Origins of remains |
| Defence Ministry spokesman Thomas Raabe said it appeared the skulls did not come from a grave or memorial site. | Defence Ministry spokesman Thomas Raabe said it appeared the skulls did not come from a grave or memorial site. |
| So far, we have seen no indications that [their] superiors knew of this Ministry of Defence spokesman | So far, we have seen no indications that [their] superiors knew of this Ministry of Defence spokesman |
| "We have an indication that the field where these human remains were found is about 2km from the Camp Warehouse [a military base near Kabul]," he said. | "We have an indication that the field where these human remains were found is about 2km from the Camp Warehouse [a military base near Kabul]," he said. |
| He refused to comment on the origins of the remains. | He refused to comment on the origins of the remains. |
| However, he said there was no indication that high-ranking German soldiers were involved or knew about the photos. | However, he said there was no indication that high-ranking German soldiers were involved or knew about the photos. |
| "So far, we have seen no indications that [their] superiors knew of this," he said. | "So far, we have seen no indications that [their] superiors knew of this," he said. |
| Backlash fears | Backlash fears |
| In a separate incident on Wednesday, the German news weekly Stern published a picture reportedly showing a German special forces vehicle in Afghanistan painted with a Nazi symbol. | In a separate incident on Wednesday, the German news weekly Stern published a picture reportedly showing a German special forces vehicle in Afghanistan painted with a Nazi symbol. |
| It said the photo was taken in 2001. | It said the photo was taken in 2001. |
| There is concern that such photographs could spark a backlash not only against German troops serving in Afghanistan, but against the entire Nato-led mission there, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin. | There is concern that such photographs could spark a backlash not only against German troops serving in Afghanistan, but against the entire Nato-led mission there, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin. |
| The first pictures to emerge dated from 2003, the Bild newspaper said. | The first pictures to emerge dated from 2003, the Bild newspaper said. |
| They included an image of a soldier holding a skull next to his exposed genitals, and of soldiers placing it on the bonnet of their jeep. | They included an image of a soldier holding a skull next to his exposed genitals, and of soldiers placing it on the bonnet of their jeep. |
| RTL said the second batch was taken in 2004. | RTL said the second batch was taken in 2004. |
| The scandal coincided with a German announcement that its deployment in Afghanistan would be extended. | The scandal coincided with a German announcement that its deployment in Afghanistan would be extended. |
| Senior figures have called for a review of training given to the armed forces. | Senior figures have called for a review of training given to the armed forces. |