| Date: | Sunday April 27, @07:42PM |
|---|---|
| Author: | nmb |
| Topic: | News |
| from the dept. | |
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030428-12027619.htm
"...Iraqi civilians are preparing a complaint to present in court in Belgium accusing allied commander Gen. Tommy Franks and other U.S. military officials of war crimes in Iraq, according to the attorney representing the plaintiffs.
The complaint will state that coalition forces are responsible for the indiscriminate killing of Iraqi civilians, the bombing of a marketplace in Baghdad, the shooting of an ambulance, and failure to prevent the mass looting of hospitals, said Jan Fermon, a Brussels-based lawyer. He is representing about 10 Iraqis who say they were victims of or eyewitnesses to atrocities committed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mr. Fermon said the complaint will ask an investigative magistrate to look into whether indictments should be issued against Gen. Franks. If an indictment is filed against the general and other U.S. officials, they could be convicted and sentenced by a Belgian court.
"Belgium could issue international arrest warrants, but I don't think we will get to that point," Mr. Fermon said.
If arrest warrants were issued, U.S. officials could be arrested on entering Belgium.
The Bush administration has reacted angrily to the complaint. A senior administration official warned that "there will be diplomatic consequences for Belgium" if the complaint is taken up by a court there and Belgian authorities issue indictments against Gen. Franks and other U.S. officials..."
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printed from Iraqi Civilians: War Crimes Trial against US on 2004-05-06 01:56:59