Up to 28 U.S. soldiers face possible criminal charges in
connection with the deaths of two prisoners at an American-run prison
in Afghanistan two years ago, the Army announced Thursday. The most
serious potential charges include involuntary manslaughter and maiming,
the Army said in a statement. Its announcement marked completion of a
nearly 2-year-old investigation into the deaths. The Army's Criminal
Investigation Division recommends various charges against the 28, with
some facing more serious charges than others. So far, only one person,
a military police reservist, has actually been charged in connection
the deaths. Sgt. James P. Boland of the Army Reserve's 377th Military
Policy Company, based in Cincinnati, was charged Aug. 23 with assault
and dereliction of duty. For the other 27, their commanding officers
will make the final call on whether they face a court-martial,
administrative discipline or no disciplinary action. The deaths, in
early December 2002, were ruled homicides by U.S. military medical
examiners. [more ]
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