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.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..he might regard the "stress-counselling" Chaplain as having been out of line...

Oh.

It's the Chaplain's fault, now?

[mosby]

Not good enough, jackass. If they believed the soldiers who claimed they saw Perry with the finger, why didn't they lay charges? Obviously they chose to believe Perry and the other soldier, which is why they didn't lay charges. Try again.

[Cvengr]

You are defending a person with doubt on his credibility.

Yes, any NCO or officer who leads their unit into an ambush has failed in their duty. It's implicit. Regretable, sure....but for God's sake, don't go off and assign the same NCO/officer to lead the next patrol without awfully good reason,...Is it possible,..sure,...after consideration.....also maybe consider a battlefield promotion, display some wherewithal, but sorry don't ignore the situation and pretend changes shouldn't be made. best way for all enlisted to lose all faith trust and confidence in their leadership is to ignore it.

The sniper at Ruby Ridge was also acquitted. Do you believe he should have been accomodated as well?

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..men have to realise that this is a clash of civilizations, not a cocktail party...

Clash of cliches, is more like it.

You and 'in harm's way' Aura are sounding more like Frank Drebin with every post.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...if they believed the soldiers who claimed they saw Perry with the finger, why didn't they lay charges?...

Beats me. From what I read on FR, American 'justice' just about always favours the perp. Ever heard of a bloke called Mumia?

[Aura Of The Blade]

BTW, snipers don't save the lives of ambushed patrols by crapping on the torsos of dead enemy. That's a good way to trip a booby trap and get killed

A sniper who has just neutralized a target is not likely to encounter a booby trap where the target had just been. Otherwise the target would have walked into it and blown himself up prior to the sniper round being fired. Go spend some time in the infantry and walk the walk, if you are going talk the talk.

[mosby]

Mixing apples and oranges now aren't we? Interesting though that no charges were brought against Perry for this incident. But perhaps, once again, you, and only you, know what really happened.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...assuming that no member of Perry's battalion was involved in any desecration, what, exactly, is it that you expect the battalion CO to do?...

I expect him to do exactly what he did do: commission an investigation.

What I don't expect is for a bunch of posters on my beloved FR to be yukking it up about desecrating corpses.

[Dec31,1999]

Ever hear of the Democratic party? Rarely or never will you see a Conservative defend such. You give my position credibility.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...you give my position credibility....

Thanks, but even I'm not clever enough to do that. :)

[Aura Of The Blade]

You are defending a person with doubt on his credibility

You are accusing MCpl Perry in his absence and have little credibility in light of the fact that he is cleared. The end.

[Dec31,1999]

What I don't expect is for a bunch of posters on my beloved FR to be yukking it up about desecrating corpses.

Does that mean you think they shouldn't be wrapped in bacon? Yes or No.

[mosby]

I seriously suggest you call battalion headquarters and explain to them that they were wrong to disbelieve that testimony. When they ask how you know, you can tell them that it "beats you" how they could believe otherwise. That's real compelling.

Late in the West of Canada. I look forward tomorrow morning to those pictures of Perry and your name and address for Cpl Perry. Have a ggod night.

[Dec31,1999]

Thanks, but even I'm not clever enough to do that. :)

Nonetheless. :)

[Aura Of The Blade]

Apparently you have developed a morbid fascination with corpses and desecration subject to your repeateted reference to the same. Please seek some help.

[Burkeman1]

It is this sort of the thread that really sickens me. I was a lurker on FR a full year before I signed up and started posting. I have been here now for about 4 years. I signed up because Clinton so sickened me that I needed a release. The mainstream media covered for him and dismissed things he did or said that would have been major gaffes, scandals, or cause for impeachment for any GOP president.

On this sight I found a largely conservative and Republican crowd that likewise was sickened by Clinton. When Clinton killed a night watchmen in Sudan at an Aspirin plant the day Monica testified (and completely without the support of the CIA, The JOint Chiefs, the state department, or anyone) this sight was up in arms with righteous indignation. And rightly so.

We used to make fun of Democrats who would sell out every principle they had to support Clinton. I never thought I would see that among Freepers. But with a GOP President I see the same blind partisan toadying and sycophancy on this sight that I thought only Paul Begala and James Carville could display. I also see a total jettisoning of normal moral decency when it comes to anything to do with the "war on terrorism" or the upcoming war with Iraq. The same freepers who railed against Clinton's Kosovo bombing now label anyone who questions Bush's war aims as "traitors" or worse.

If federal officers were caught with photographs of themselves next to a pile of smoldering corpses from Waco Freepers would be up in arms. If Marins in Kosovo were sawing off Serb fingers and crapping on the bodies this site would be enraged. What is imoral is imoral. I am disgusted by the hypocirscy and double standards many freepers have displayed since the election of Dubya and espicially the 9/11 event.

[Cvengr]

Again, not necessarily.

Since it's such a moot point, why do you belabor it attempting to imply criminal behavior has been overlooked and promote it to be ignored,...thereby baiting those who are righteous to argue?

Reads as though you are attempting to create argument.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..does that mean you think they shouldn't be wrapped in bacon? Yes or No...

Yes.

They shouldn't be wrapped in bacon.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Overdue for something, but will be back to respond to your thoughtful post in full a little later. Best regards, By.

[Dec31,1999]

Your post is not clearly defined. Tell us your objections in a clear way. What is it exactly that you have against the regime change in Iraq, if you please.