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.

[Cvengr]

Photo doesn't seem too damning to me, IMHO. Thanks for posting.

[VaBthang4]

Well, having BTDT...

Had he been mine, I doubt seriously that it would've progressed to the level that it has. The PC Canadian brass are hypersensitive to this sort of thing based on what some Canadian peacekeepers did in Somalia [tortured and killed a skinny].

Considering that he did stop an ambush in its tracks and in doing so dropped terrorists from a mile and a half out...I probably would've just dug him right there in the AO instead of letting Admin poag, career kiss-ups get involved in the disciplinary process.

But it wouldnt have gone past me.

He is alleged to have shown of the finger in a baggy...that was brutally stupid but it appears he was trying to impress his American brethren. He is young. His first time in Combat. He makes a World class sniper shot and he got ahead of himself....that's cool.

I would've made him pay the price but all of this beaurocratic/zero military experience garbage is rediculous. He'd have needed two days rest after I finished with him...but I wouldnt have ever let it affect his career. I would've kept mind of what had happened...and if it happened after that, then maybe I'd have nailed him harder/pay/restriction etc etc. but not at first.

This whole subject is nothing more than effeminate humanistic dogma run-amuck.

[Cvengr]

Good tagline.SF

[Aura Of The Blade]

You have taken some cheap shots at the expense of MCpl Perry who has been cleared of all wrongdoing. Your futile attempt at casting the CF in bad light, based on the actions of a few troopers from the Canadian Airborne Regiment must be viewed for what it is - rubbish. I couldn't care less about the Somalis after what they did to Task Force Ranger, much less al-Qaeda or any other terrorist for that matter.

[mosby]

The Pity is that you're a slanderous coward hiding behind your computer screen. This has nothing to do with the question of whether desecrating an enemy body is acceptable under any circumstances. I'm not part of that debate. This has to do with you making accusations about Perry that you can't back up. Tell you what. Post your name and address. I'll make sure that Cpl Perry gets it. I'll than withdraw the "coward" part of my claim that you're a slanderous coward.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...this whole subject is nothing more than effeminate humanistic dogma run-amuck....

No.

It's a clear breach of Article 124. All your touchy-feely empathy with Perry proves is that you would be as undisciplined a soldier as he is, and at risk of bringing the same shame on his unit as he has done.

If you were a soldier, that is.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..you have taken some cheap shots at the expense of MCpl Perry who has been cleared of all wrongdoing...

Perry has not been 'cleared of all wrongdoing.' Here's what the original article said:"the evidence wasn't sufficient to support charges."

[Aura Of The Blade]

So what. You have a pic of MCpl Perry in Brit cams (as the desert CADPATs were not issued) of him examining a target.

It doesn't amount to a hill of beans. He has been cleared. Case closed.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...this has nothing to do with the question of whether desecrating an enemy body is acceptable under any circumstances. I'm not part of that debate....

That is the topic I've been struggling to stay with, Mosby. If you don't want to be part of it then move to another thread.

[VaBthang4]

LOL

Go away you little wimp.

You have zero credibility in this discussion. You have been a rude, borish asinine little pipsqueek [with zero military service/combat experience] who has repeatedly slandered Men greater than yourself.

Stick to chatting with someone who hasnt seen you for what you are.

A cheeseball in desperate need of attention. A vile little individual who whispers lies with his head down. A wannabe American who still smells of Australian Liberal impotence.

A walking/posting joke worthy of derision and ridicule.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...Go away you little wimp. You have zero credibility in this discussion. You have been a rude, borish asinine little pipsqueek [with zero military service/combat experience] who has repeatedly slandered Men greater than yourself. Stick to chatting with someone who hasnt seen you for what you are. A cheeseball in desperate need of attention. A vile little individual who whispers lies with his head down. A wannabe American who still smells of Australian Liberal impotence. A walking/posting joke worthy of derision and ridicule....

Nice meltdown, Vab.

Now- can we get back to the topic?

[Aura Of The Blade]

Does that include the DNA evidence that had no connection to MCpl Perry?

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...does that include the DNA evidence that had no connection to MCpl Perry?...

Aura, instead of asking me all the time, why not read the darn articles yourself?

Investigators were told that at some time during the evening, Perry returned to the group with a finger from one of the bodies. "He had it in a Baggie - a Ziploc Baggie - and held it up in front of the guys," said one soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The snipers, said the soldier, had joked with some American troops before they were deployed that the Canadians would bring them back a souvenir. "It was all on the pretense that (Perry) was bringing it back as a joke," said the soldier, who was questioned by military officials conducting the investigation. "It crossed a lot of moral boundaries." Investigators were also told Perry bragged that he had defecated on the body of another al-Qaida fighter whose head had been blown off during the fighting. A military source who spoke with the men who were present that night said they were disturbed by what they saw. "They were just grossed out by the thing." Perry admitted there was some joking with American soldiers about the headless body, but he vehemently denied doing anything to the corpse. "There was a joke about it," he said.

[Aura Of The Blade]

Like I said rubbish. The DNA evidence did not connect him. Why don't you read the article posted at the heading of this tread.

[mosby]

Problem is, jackass, YOU haven't stayed with the topic. You could have made your point without naming Perry. Someone desecrated that body. Nobody denies that. What possible difference to your argument did it make whether it was Perry or not? Fact of the matter is you have absolutely no way of knowing if it was Perry. Yet you keep on throwing the crap. I think you're a sanctimonious, arrogant POS who just can't admidt you took a wrong turn on this.

[Aura Of The Blade]

Article: "DNA tests were conducted to see if the knife could be tied to the body, but no link was establised."

[Dec31,1999]

Surely fairness (PC) will be the death of many more of our own. And as for the issue of wrapping the corses with pig fat somehow, it's time to get this idea into the press. It's a good one that hasn't been mentioned thus far.

And where are the ads for bacon fat spray? It should be a big hit.

[Cvengr]

No, the assignments on the battlefield aren't muted by insufficient evidence. A Commanding Officer frequently makes decisions based upon circumstantial evidence. This is something the article strongly suggests the NCO has never learned and a point some armed forces fail to promote in their leaders.

IMHO, he would not be sent back in. Too controversial. As a sniper elsewhere, perhaps, but still look at the reputation of ATF after Ruby Ridge. IMHO, not a good idea.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..fact of the matter is you have absolutely no way of knowing if it was Perry. Yet you keep on throwing the crap..

Mosby, what part of "investigators were told that at some time during the evening, Perry returned to the group with a finger from one of the bodies" can't you understand?

[Aura Of The Blade]

You and Aussie should take your after the fact analysis to the members of 101st who's lives were saved because of the courageous actions of Cdn and SF snipers.