A US marine filmed shooting an injured Iraqi in Falluja acted in self-defence and will not face a court martial, a Marine Corps investigation has found.
The five-month investigation found that the shooting had been "pretty much consistent with the established rules of engagement", a spokesman said. Video of the killing last November, which was taken by a US cameraman, was flashed around the world. It came during a bloody operation to recapture the rebel-held city.
In sworn statements, the unnamed marine corporal said he had shot three insurgents in self-defence in the mosque on 13 November, believing they posed a threat to him and his fellow marines. Cameraman Kevin Sites said in his weblog account of the shooting that the marine could have legitimately believed the man posed a danger but he asked whether standards had been lowered. | Nah, we did the same during Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, etc. Hell, I'm sure a Centurion would have put a spear into a wounded Carthaginian he thought was hiding a dagger. |
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