Posted on 07/16/2006 2:42:05 PM PDT by MizSterious
By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer
U.S. military officials fear that religious hurdles in exhuming the body of a teenager could complicate the prosecution of American soldiers accused of raping and murdering the girl — and create a political nightmare for the U.S. mission here.
Given the gravity of the allegations, U.S. officials believe that a vigorous prosecution is essential and that punishment should be severe if the six servicemen and one former soldier are convicted.
Anything short of that would be seen by Iraqis as a cover up and could shatter remaining support for the U.S. presence here.
Five soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are accused of raping and murdering Abeer al-Janabi near the town of Mahmoudiya on March 12. A sixth soldier is accused of failing to report the crime.
The soldiers allegedly saw the victim at a checkpoint in the town and plotted the attack for a week, according to federal court documents. Three of her family members were killed in the assault.
But the victim's male relatives have refused to allow her body to be exhumed because of objections from a Muslim cleric. Islamic law frowns on exhumations as desecration of the dead.
"Chief among our concerns is carrying out justice. But when you get town officials or an imam saying that exhuming the body doesn't jive with our cultural sensitivities, that creates a massive stumbling block," a U.S. military official in Baghdad close to the investigation said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to media.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Mahmoudiya pinglist--if you want on or off, let me know via freepmail.
You're not on the pinglist, but you might be interested in this story.
Just like Haditha, this one falls apart, too...
In that case, turn them over to the Iraqis for a fair trial and a fast hanging.
Otherwise, this case is nothing more than hearsay by all involved in it including other troops. Without proper evidence...not a thing can be done about it.
You want them hung even if evidence shows they didn't do it? Right now there is very little evidence in either direction, and our troops have been falsely accused before.
You must understand, the Drive-By Media isn't interested in justice or concerned about Iraqi civilians in the least.
All they wanted - and they got it - was the headline for the news, "US Troops charged in Iraq rape and murder."
That's what all this is about. Nothing more...
This is more Anti-American Army propaganda from a terror sect that doesn't stop at bombs anymore. It has started to use the Main Stream Media to help the left and anti-American in this country. It doesn't matter if the story is true to the Ixlamist the propaganda value is priceless.
It was originally reported that "insurgents" had done this, and for all I know, that could have been what happened. Certainly, the evidence (so far) is not supporting the story we're seeing now. That said, if they did it, hanging is too good for them. I'm just not certain yet that they're guilty.
I do agree with that...however, didn't some of the testimoney in this particular case include 3 US troops?
From your statement why do you even mention a fair trial, you seem to think they are guilty and deserve hanging.
I believe that is alleged in the affadavit. But there's been no testimony in court yet.
I didn't know that...but what about the testimony of the 3 US soldiers?
There's been no testimony at all yet. Only allegations. I know its a very minor point, but that's how it works...
"Islamic law" doesn't seem to frown on the desecration of recently murdered Americans.
I expect these Americans to get as full and vigorous a defense as the Supreme Court has ordered for unlawful combatants we hold. No autopsy, including medical examiners for the defense, no evidence. No evidence, no trial. It's up to the Iraqis to decide whether they want to see justice done, or their "islamic sensiblities" preserved. That's more of a choice than they had under Saddam.
"In that case, turn them over to the Iraqis for a fair trial and a fast hanging."
Slow down AF vet. Weare talking about the good guys here. If they can't exhume the body then the only thing they have is an accusation. They will need to exhume the body to actually prove physical rape. No exhumation, no case.
Why are you so gung ho to hang these guys? They're our guys, not insurgents. Perhaps you just misunderstood.
"But the victim's male relatives have refused to allow her body to be exhumed because of objections from a Muslim cleric. Islamic law frowns on exhumations as desecration of the dead."
Welcome to the 21st Century. Western justice requires a little more "evidence" than pointing a stick and making accusations.
"Chief among our concerns is carrying out justice. But when you get town officials or an imam saying that exhuming the body doesn't jive"
JIBE, JIBE - with a "B" dammit!
I posted a thread on one of the young men involved in this from Huffman, TX and what his friends said about his character. I thought NO WAY this kid could have been involved with something like this.
It took them a while to think it up.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.