Five elite Royal Marines have been charged with murder over the death of an insurgent in war-torn Afghanistan in 2011, the British Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday.
Seven marines were arrested on 11 October by the Royal Military police. Two more were later arrested, one on Friday and one Saturday. Four have been released without charge pending further inquiries, the Ministry of Defence said.
The marines were arrested on Friday after suspicious video footage was found on a serviceman’s laptop by civilian police in the UK, the BBC reported.
The incident took place in Helmand province last year, but it is thought investigators only began an inquiry in recent weeks.
The charges are related to an incident in Afghanistan last year, when Royal Marine 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand, the report said.
An MoD spokesman said: ‘The Royal Military police has referred the cases of the remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority.
Following direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings. It would be inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing investigation.’
Seven marines were arrested on 11 October by the Royal Military police. Two more were later arrested, one on Friday and one Saturday. Four have been released without charge pending further inquiries, the Ministry of Defence said.
The marines were arrested on Friday after suspicious video footage was found on a serviceman’s laptop by civilian police in the UK, the BBC reported.
The incident took place in Helmand province last year, but it is thought investigators only began an inquiry in recent weeks.
The charges are related to an incident in Afghanistan last year, when Royal Marine 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand, the report said.
An MoD spokesman said: ‘The Royal Military police has referred the cases of the remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority.
Following direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings. It would be inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing investigation.’