In October 2005 two soldiers were investigated for beating captives held in Forward Operating Base Ripley (now Multi National Base Tarin Kot), in July 2005, in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.[1][2] The two soldiers were Sergeant Kevin D. Myricks and Specialist James R. Hayes.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
| Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |
.svg) | |
| Venue | Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ripley |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°36′50″N 65°52′00″E / 32.61389°N 65.86667°E |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
| Convictions | 2 |
On January 30, 2006, Myricks and Hayes were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to maltreat and two counts of maltreatment in the beating of Afghani captives. Myricks was reduced in rank to private, and sentenced to six months imprisonment. Hayes was reduced in rank to private, and sentenced to four months imprisonment.[10]
David R. Irvine, a former Law Professor and retired Brigadier General compared Myricks sentence for beatings to the lack of charges against commissioned officers in earlier murder incidents.[11]
"That no senior officers have been as severely dealt with as junior enlisted personnel is a travesty. Chief Warrant Officer Welshofer received the merest tap on the wrist for negligent homicide; Major Voss was given immunity from prosecution. Colonel Teeples has a new job as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Three junior enlisted soldiers, convicted for their roles at Abu Ghraib, were imprisoned for ten, eight, and three years—and they didn’t kill anyone. Sgt. Kevin Myricks, convicted of punching detainees in Afghanistan, was recently sentenced to six months’ confinement and reduced in rank to private."
According to the BBC News:
"The charges against the soldiers came in October, close on the heels of accusations that US forces had burned the bodies of Taleban fighters, an act considered sacrilege in Islam."[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Detainee Abuse Charges in Afghanistan Referred to Court-Martial". American Forces Press Service. 2005-11-17. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ "Two US soldiers face court-martial for Afghan detainee abuse". Khaleej Times. 2005-11-17. Archived from the original on 2012-09-22. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ "U.S. military convicts soldier of punching detainees in Afghanistan". North County Times. 2006-01-30. Retrieved 2010-01-25.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "U.S. SOLDIER FOUND GUILTY OF ABUSING DETAINEE IN AFGHANISTAN". Eurasianet. 2006-01-28. Archived from the original on September 4, 2008. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ "US army in Afghanistan refers alleged detainees' abusers to court-martial". People's Daily. 2005-11-17. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ a b "Court-martial convicts US soldier". BBC News. 2006-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ "US soldier jailed for hitting Afghan detainees". The Peninsula. 2006-01-29. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^
Jeannie Shawl (2005-11-17). "Two US soldiers face court-martial for Afghan prisoner abuse". The Jurist. Archived from the original on 2010-02-04.
In a separate incident, the Pentagon has said it has completed its investigation into allegations that US soldiers desecrated Taliban bodies in Kandahar. Video of troops burning two bodies and using the charred remains in a propaganda campaign against insurgents was aired on Australian television in October, prompting criticism from the UN. Afghan officials are conducting their own investigation into the incident.
- ^ Krystal MacIntyre (2006-01-27). "Military trials begin for US soldiers accused of abusing Afghan detainees". The Jurist. Archived from the original on 2010-02-04.
- ^ "US soldier guilty of Afghan abuse". BBC News. 2006-01-30. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ David R. Irvine (2006-03-03). "Tortured Times for America's Global Standing". George Washington University. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23.
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