Canadian sniper cleared of desecrating al-Qaeda body

National Post ^ | February 8, 2003 | Stewart Bell

[Clive]

A Canadian sniper up for the Bronze Star medal for his combat role in Afghanistan has been cleared of allegations he desecrated the body of a dead al-Qaeda fighter, the Defence Department said yesterday.

Military investigators lacked evidence for charges against Master Corporal Arron Perry and another Canadian, following allegations soldiers cut the finger off an enemy combatant and staged a "trophy" photo of the body.

The investigation also examined claims a soldier defecated on a second body. Master Cpl. Perry had been suspended pending the outcome of the probe, but was returned to duty yesterday in Edmonton.

"After a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Service, the evidence wasn't sufficient to support charges in that case," said Captain Mark Giles, a Department of National Defence public affairs officer.

Master Cpl. Perry, a member of Edmonton's 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, said he was relieved the investigation had concluded.

"I'm glad finally it's done," he said.

The sniper was part of a small group of Canadian soldiers who directly engaged the Taliban and al-Qaeda during a tour in Afghanistan. He has been credited with helping save soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division pinned down by enemy fire in Shah-i-Kot Valley.

The Canadians' sharp-shooting on al-Qaeda machine-gun nests and mortar positions were chronicled in Soldier of Fortune magazine. U.S. commanders have since recommended the snipers for Bronze Stars recognizing heroic or meritorious service.

But a few weeks after that triumph, Master Cpl. Perry was sent home under a cloud of suspicion. Allegations surfaced in mid-March that he had interfered with a body and there were reports of a photograph showing a dead enemy fighter with a cigarette in his mouth and a small sign on his chest reading "f--k terrorism."

But the investigation centred on claims a soldier had taken a finger from the body.

"The photos, while being perhaps inappropriate, that was not the main focus of the investigation. The main focus was the allegations of interfering with the dead body," Cpt. Giles said. "It's as much moral as it is legal. We always want dead bodies, whether they be enemy or friendly, to be treated with dignity."

Military investigators dug up the corpse and searched tents at the Canadian military base, seizing a knife. DNA tests were conducted to see if the knife could be tied to the body, but no link was established.

[Kevin Curry]

If he is guilty, then perhaps a fate such as OJ's is a better consequence.

Golf 24/7?

[VaBthang4]

He was turning off Talibillies from 2430 meters.

He helped crush an Al Qaeda ambush of elements from the 101st Airborne Division.

Not bad.

[Kevin Curry]

Unfortunately, terrorists don't meet the threshold of qualifying as beligerents under the Geneva Convention. Accordingly, they cannot be POWs.

Good point. They are being treated much better than they deserve at Guantanamo.

[VaBthang4]

C'mon Butch'up!!

You wanna lecture a US Marine on what Marines think...dont stop now. What branch did you serve with? What was your MOS? What combat experience do you have?

Teach us!

Let's go tough guy...

~Grin~

[Kevin Curry]

He helped crush an Al Qaeda ambush of elements from the 101st Airborne Division.

And saved many lives in the process.

[Godel]

So its okay to kill your enemy, but not to make fun of them afterwards.

PC ruins everything.

[Cvengr]

Greenhorn, you fail miserably as a Marine, ...what Al-Quada cell did you crawl from under?

[VaBthang4]

"And saved many lives in the process."

Oh that's just an excuse you use to cover over his egregious crimes against all that is decent and fluffy soft. After he blew the chests out of Al Qaeda Terrorists with .50 cal rounds he actually went up to one of them and...oh dear Lord it makes me tremble with grief just to type it...he cut off one of their fingers!!

AAAAHHHHHHHH BLLLOOOOODDDYYYYYMMMMMUUURRRRDDDDDEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!

~Smirk~

[Kevin Curry]

Careful now. If he's al-Qaeda, you can blow his head off. But don't you dare mock or tease him.

[VaBthang4]

What branch did you serve with? What was your MOS? What combat experience do you have?

[Cvengr]

Then determine what criminal activity they are guilty of committing and prosecute and execute the sentance accordingly.

[VaBthang4]

~Grin~

[VaBthang4]

What branch did you serve with? What was your MOS? What combat experience do you have?

[Aura Of The Blade]

His remark is nothing but disrespect

Soldiers often use foul language when talking with fellow troopers or when referring to snafus that went down or some other event. The Chaplain happened to be walking by. MCpl Perry has said this repeatedly and it's also in the SoF article. I fail to see any disrespect given that his remarks were not directed to the Chaplain.

[Cvengr]

Beadwindow. Go do your homework.

[OldCorps]

Checked out the videos you suggested. Seems to me we should ally ourselves with the Russians to kill these thugs once and for all.

[VaBthang4]

What branch did you serve with?
What was your MOS?
What combat experience do you have?

You see...that's my trumpcard for you. Everytime you open your mouth...I get to drop it on you and stop you dead in your tracks.

~Grin~

One of the perks of paying the price.

[Poohbah]

I think FairOpinion has...er...um...let's call it "performance anxiety."

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..perhaps you are projecting your own harder edge and hateful feelings...

No, newbie.

I've been here long enough to see how these cycles work.

[Cvengr]

So do gangstas and rappers on the street corner.

Disciplined men under arms don't acquiesce to mediocrity, especially regarding life and death events. Those who succomb to mediocrity expose their conscience and accountability for past failures and losses. Critical combat decisions are more weighty than such arrogance.