Is this a War Crime ?

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

A US Marine pleaded guilty today to shooting a defenceless Iraqi grandfather dragged from his house in the middle of the night in what his squad informally called "Operation Vigilante."


Cpl Trent Thomas was charged with murder, kidnapping and other offences in the April 2006 death of Hashim Ibrahim Awad in Hamdania, Iraq. According to earlier testimony in the case, Thomas shot the man up to 10 times. Awad was a neighbour of a man Marines had sought to kidnap and kill as a suspected terrorist.

The case is one of a series from the Iraq war in which US military personnel are accused of crimes against Iraqi civilians. Seven Marines and a Navy medic have been charged in the incident.

Thomas said unit leader Sgt Lawrence Hutchins devised a plan to kidnap and murder a suspected terrorist released from prison, but the unit ended up grabbing a neighbour, Awad, instead.

In a strong, confident voice, Thomas matter-of-factly told the military judge how the unit placed the man by the side of a road, retreated and then returned to create the impression they had discovered a man placing an explosive device.

"I fired several rounds into Awad's body and he was already lying on the ground," Thomas said, adding he used his M-16 rifle. "He was still alive and Sgt. Hutchins came up and did a dead check and finished him off."

He said he acted under a lawful order from his squad leader Hutchins, whom Thomas said fired a final three shots to the Iraqi man's head.

Prior to Thomas, three other Marines and a Navy medic have pleaded guilty, getting relatively light prison sentences of 21 months or less in deals in which they agreed to testify against the others.

Thomas, who wore a khaki service uniform, pleaded guilty to seven charges including unpremeditated murder, kidnapping and conspiracy. He will be sentenced next month at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego.

His maximum sentence will be limited to an amount in the plea deal which had not yet been made public. He said the unit informally called the incident "Operation Vigilante."



So is this a War Crime ?


I think it is and Trent Thomas ( sorry i can't call him a Marine - he's a disgrace to the uniform ) should spend the rest of his life in prison.

Also the President should be tried for War Crimes, this isn't the first case involving Troops under his command.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

ughh.. definately

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

I'd also say it doesn't help that young soldiers are being rushed into service + longer tours of duty

Its no defence but it all adds up and pressure on some is just to much.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

this is true, but i too agree, that it is no defense.

 

[Fitswimmer]

There's no defense to this, nor is there a defense to beheadings of reporters, bombing schools and mosques, and desecrating the bodies of dead soldiers. There have been plenty of crimes on both sides. In your rush to condemn the administration and the war, let's not forget that there are combatants fighting on the other side as well. They're not all wedding guests and children.

 

[Charade]

There's no defense to this, nor is there a defense to beheadings of reporters, bombing schools and mosques, and desecrating the bodies of dead soldiers. There have been plenty of crimes on both sides. In your rush to condemn the administration and the war, let's not forget that there are combatants fighting on the other side as well. They're not all wedding guests and children.

I'd like to know if the OP can find stories of acts of heroics and good things the soldiers did. Which by FAR are more abundant that these types. Me thinks he's not interested in those.

 

[tiger95]

It is a crime, no doubt. And the soldier should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But to label it a "war crime", would just be someone trying to advance a political agenda.

 

[DawnCt1]

No, its a crime committed against an Iraqi citizen and an extreme violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He has been charged, will be prosecuted and held accountable. To blame the "military" is ridiculous. The Army, Marines, etc are a microcosm of society. The occasional sociopath slipped through despite all the efforts to screen them out. After all, aren't sociopaths good at that?

 

[Charade]

It is a crime, no doubt. And the soldier should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But to label it a "war crime", would just be someone trying to advance a political agenda.

You don't "say" much, do you? (165 posts in 6 years!)

 

[transparant]

I'd like to know if the OP can find stories of acts of heroics and good things the soldiers did. Which by FAR are more abundant that these types. Me thinks he's not interested in those.

Why - when he thrives off of stories like this? The other stories would depress him.

 

[tiger95]

You don't "say" much, do you? (165 posts in 6 years!)

LOL, no I mostly just sit back and . This is a great community to read, I am not much of talker.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

This is as wrong an incident as the numerous beheadings of American civilians by terrorists over the past few years. I'm not making excuses, because there are none for something like this.

I imagine that one could consider this a war crime. Atrocity, yes; war crime, I'm not so sure. It's definitely a crime against an Iraqi civilian and is an atrocity, but I'm not so sure I would label this a "war crime". This appears to be something cooked up by the sergeant. If it had been planned by a more superior officer -- for example, a captain or major or higher -- I think a better argument could be made.

If the OP is wondering if it's something to the extent of being tried at The Hague, then I have to say "no". In fact, I have to emphatically say "hell no". The US Military has a system in place to handle things like this when they happen, be it war time or not. We're not a rogue state like Germany under Hitler or Yugoslavia under Milosevic. In less than two years, GWB will be out of office, someone else will be President, and changes in policy will most likely happen. Even so, we currently have a system that provides checks and balances between the branches of government. In the United States, we take care of our own, whether "take care" means helping those in need or punishing those who do wrong.

 

[GeorgeG]

We can find "criminal" acts in any war in history. Fortunately for us, our military commits very few compared to the enemy. That doesn't make it right, but it does happen. Like another poster said, we seldom hear about the many, many, many humanitarian deeds being done by our military. It's just not good press, I guess.

War is a very nasty business and a world at peace would be wonderful, but there are too many cultures out there that just can't be satisfied with peaceful co-existance.

Now, we can argue about this war forever and never come to an agreement, but, for argument's sake, let's assume we never went to war and the radical Muslims had actually donned uniforms and invaded our country. Do you really think they would not harm innocent civilians?

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

No, its a crime committed against an Iraqi citizen and an extreme violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Seems the same to me as Saddam - he was in uniform and he killed Iraqi's

The US Military has a system in place to handle things like this when they happen, be it war time or not. We're not a rogue state like Germany under Hitler or Yugoslavia under Milosevic.

Really why won't the U.S sign up to The Military International Criminal Court. And don't start me on POW'S and how the U.S ingored the Geneva Conventions


As for Military Justice, what a few months in a Military jail


Why won't the President sign up to the International Criminal Court ?

 

[TheDoctor]

There have been a number of incidents like this including Hidaytha. Unfortunately our kids are now on their third and fourth tours with no end in sight. The strain of these extended tours has contributed to the stress that leads to incidents like this.

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

And who is responsible ? The President or sorry War Criminal !!

 

[transparant]

Thankfully incidents like this are far and few between and the good stories FAR outweigh the bad.

It amazes me that when a story like this come's to surface it gets all kinds of attention. But the heroic stories are ignored and are like dust in the wind.

I'm also curious as to why the OP felt it neccessary to post the good news about the Phillipines killing a top Al Queda official the other day - but can't post the good stories about our American troops.

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

In another case Thursday, one of five U.S. soldiers accused of the March 12, 2006, rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl, who was killed along with three members of her family, is expected to plead guilty to rape and premeditated murder, his attorney said.

 

[transparant]

Yo yo - you make it sound as it our entire military is made up of thugs. Here let me share a few things with you - that is if you care.

Soldiers build lasting relationships with Iraqi school-aged kids
Friday, 19 January 2007
By Marine Cpl. Jessica Kent
Multi-National Corps - Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD — Service members conducting patrols in Baghdad may catch a glimpse of what makes life so great back at home.

In a country where electricity is scarce and mud huts are common homes, many Iraqi families struggle to make a living. The trash-lined streets, often hiding explosives, are dangerous for children at play.

One aspect of a child’s life that usually remains a steady influence is going to school. When Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Division National Police Transition Team visited a local elementary school, they found the rooms packed to capacity with small students. The rooms were so packed that desks were moved outside to make an additional classroom.

Although the school was only for girls, several small boys were spotted among the rows. Some families were granted permission to enroll males in the school because sectarian violence made other schools too dangerous.

While the boys’ parents believe the elementary school to be safer, each child there has been touched by violence. Many lost parents and other family members who were murdered. Others lost a sibling or friend who left school one day and never returned.

“Some were kidnapped and never came back,” a school administrator said. “We support (the children) and give special attention to the orphans who miss their mothers or fathers.”

Most of the students are accustomed to hearing gunfire on the streets, seeing the destruction left by a mortar round, watching Soldiers at traffic checkpoints and chasing military convoys.

“We travel down parts of Baghdad and then go to our sector and see the downtrodden areas,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Andrus, communications NCOIC, 3rd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd Div. NPTT. “It definitely makes me appreciate what I have as an American.”

Andrus said it’s hard to see Iraqi kids without the opportunities American children often have. He added that the worst part is that Iraqi children do not know to expect any better.

“It saddens my heart sometimes to see the conditions they live in, when it’s cold outside and kids are wearing flip-flops without jackets,” he said. “So many of these kids don’t even have a ball to play with, something we think is simple.”

Because the children have very little, transition team members provided whatever help they could. They packed up clothing donated from the United States and delivered it to the school. Team members also helped find desks and new doors for the school.

“The new units are welcome here,” the school administrator said. “I welcome them because they help me.”

During his last visit to drop off children’s clothing, Lt. Col. Anthony Cornett, team chief, 3rd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd Div. NPTT, addressed a classroom of bright-eyed students. A young girl asked about terrorism in her country, and how he would help the Iraqi people.

“I work everyday to ensure that you’re protected; so does the National Police,” he replied. “They’re my friends. But I’m a human being just like you. Here (in the classroom) is where you can make a difference for Iraq.”

Because children are the future of their country, Andrus said school students make up a generation that can bring positive changes for Iraq. Transition team members will spend the remainder of their tour guiding National Policemen as they struggle to make those changes.

 

[transparant]

Troops renovate neighborhood
Thursday, 18 January 2007
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment


1st Lt. Anthony Fazio (third from left), the projects purchasing officer for Headquarters/Headquarters Company,3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment speaks with Ahmed Omran (left), a local civil engineer, and Amir ab Dalhide Morhon (second left), the mayor of Balad, through an interpreter (far right), while on a patrol through the Al Zahrah neighborhood on January 4, 2007. Fazio was assessing the area for a proposed $4 million renovation projects that would include a new sewage system, drain culverts, sidewalks and paved roads.AL ZAHRAH — It is a small neighborhood about 12 blocks long and five blocks wide, just a few miles away from Balad. The main street is roughly paved; the rest are just dirt tracks filled with trash and mud, teeming with kids. All in all, there is nothing remarkable about Al Zahrah.

It has, however, managed to capture the attention of the U.S. forces at Forward Operating Base Paliwoda.

“The people in this neighborhood have been good to us here. We’d like to do something in return for them,” said 1st Lt. Anthony Fazio, projects purchasing officer for Headquarters/Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.

The unit is proposing a $4 million renovation project that includes installing an underground sewage system with connections to each house in the area, drain culverts, sidewalks and paved roads.

The long term benefits of this project would be numerous. The construction project would provide about 150 people employment for at least six months, as well as create other jobs, such as garbage disposal, in the effort to maintain the neighborhood, Fazio said.

Neighborhood improvements might also catch the attention of the provincial government, potentially resulting in additional funding for other projects. The result would be an all-around economic improvement for the town, said Fazio.

The greatest benefit, however, would be the improved health of the inhabitants.

“The old sewage system backs up here, especially when it rains, causing dirty water and debris to rise to the surface,” said Fazio. “The kids go out and play in this stuff, and people are getting sick.”

The new sewage system and drain culverts will remove the dirty water and debris from the streets, greatly improving the living standard for the Al Zahrah residents.

“We hope that people will see the improvements made in this neighborhood, how it looks and how it works, and want the same for their neighborhoods. Then they would be willing to work with U.S. forces to stabilize the violence in their area so we can go in there and do it,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Cummins, the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion team leader.

The civil affairs team works as the eyes and ears for Fazio to provide information on what projects are most wanted and needed by the people, said Cummins.

The Al Zahrah renovation is actually a continuation of a project begun by a previous unit at FOB Paliwoda, but was not completed before they were redeployed back to the United States. Fazio and his team did not hesitate to take up the challenge of its completion when they arrived to the area.

Amir ab Dalhide Morhan, the mayor of Balad, is working with Fazio on the project.

“Even though there is a change in the commands [at FOB Paliwoda], the policy always remains the same – to work with the people of Balad,” said the mayor.

Fazio patrols with the 404th Civil Affairs team to gain a better understanding of what improvements have been completed and to determine what developments still need to occur. He talked with the locals about the problems they are having, and explained how the proposed project will help to alleviate those issues.

With the mayor’s cooperation, Fazio has established several mandates to ensure the project will move forward with minimal disruptions. He intends to hire a local contractor who actually lives in Al Zahrah because the contractor will have a vested interest in making sure the project gets done, and gets done the right way.

Included in the proposal is a stipulation that locals must clean up garbage in the area before the project can get started, and that they must keep it clean once it is completed.

“I’m trying to change the mindset of the people. If they have to earn something, then maybe they will take pride in it and maintain it,” Fazio said.

The approval process for the Al Zahrah renovation project could take up to two months. Once approved, the project is scheduled to be finished within six months of its start date