Calvin Gibbs a U.S. Staff sergeant is to face a military trial for the premeditated murders of 3 Afghani civilians. This is a case of a war crime where Gibbs and 4 of his squad mates were intentionally targeting civilians for sport and keeping body parts as trophies. If the sentencing is carried out Gibbs and his squad can face a sentence of life in prison without parole. Gibbs was already under suspicion for supplying Marijuana and other narcotics to his squad and other squads. The other members of Gibbs squad have already plead guilty to the charges in order for reduced sentences, Jeremy Morlock a squad mate has received a 24 year sentence and is set to testify against Gibbs. However the lawyer representing Gibbs has given a preliminary testimony stating that his client never took part in any of the killings, and had no knowledge of them, stating that the testimonies of known drug using soldiers as unreliable.
The results of these killings will have a large effect on US relations in Afghanistan, and the military’s standing in allied countries. This is one of the most well documented crimes committed by US soldiers during the war on terror, and is a blatant war crime according to international law. Not only will these soldiers be held accountable but the US might also have to pay restitution to the families, Afghani government, and the UN. It is also hurt relations with many of the local tribes, which will no longer have relations with the army. This just helps extend the conflict in the area, and drives more support to terrorist organizations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15499132
1 comment:
Things like this make people divided on what the military is doing, and whether we should condone it. The actions of a small few will have large consequences, like you stated in your post. And the fact that this could effect the relations that other troops, and our government as a whole, have been establishing this whole time is unacceptable. Things like this make me wonder what we are really doing over there.
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