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Canadian Soldier Accused of Killing Insurgent Following Ambush
Canadian soldier accused of killing insurgent following ambush: lawyers
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
CBC News
New details were revealed Tuesday about a Canadian soldier charged in the death of an unarmed man in Afghanistan.
Defence and prosecution lawyers released a joint statement of circumstances about Robert Semrau's case at a hearing at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa to determine whether to release him from custody.
Semrau, originally from Pembroke, Ont., faces one count of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a presumed insurgent in Afghanistan's Helmand province in October.
According to the statement, on Oct. 19, Semrau was on a mission with a small team of Afghan soldiers he was helping to command as part of a mentoring program.
The statement says the group was ambushed by Taliban insurgents, but managed to regain control with the help of U.S. air support.
Soldiers with the Afghan National Army later discovered a wounded insurgent on the ground. His injuries were apparently too severe for him to be helped. The man's rifle was taken away by Afghan soldiers.
According to the statement, Semrau was then left alone with the injured insurgent and two shots were heard. The statement claims an unnamed witness will be produced who says they saw Semrau shoot the Taliban insurgent.
The body was left behind and not recovered, according to the statement.
Both the Crown and prosecution have recommended that Semrau be released with conditions that he live with his family and continue working on the base. The judge is expected to make a decision later Tuesday.
The trial may not take place until late 2009 since the investigation is ongoing. If convicted, Semrau could face 25 years in prison.
Semrau, who attended the hearing with his wife and seven-month-old daughter, had no comment when he made his way inside for the hearing.
Canadian military officials said they were made aware of the allegations on Dec. 27, and notified the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, which then began an investigation.
Canada has about 2,500 soldiers in Afghanistan, mostly based in the south around Kandahar. Neighbouring Helmand province is largely patrolled by British troops.
Glad you Americans had our boys' back during this incident. Too bad Canada does not have their back too.
__________________
I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.
--Haim Ginott--
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