British soldiers arrested over alleged abuse of Afghan children

[News_Editor]

British soldiers arrested over alleged abuse of Afghan children

2012-01-19 22:31:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- An investigation has been launched after two British soldiers allegedly abused two children while being deployed in Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday. The Afghan government and the Taliban have condemned the news.

The two soldiers are alleged to have filmed, on multiple occasions, a young boy and a 10-year-old girl as they forced them to touch their private parts through their clothes. The soldiers, who were in full uniform, later showed the footage to other soldiers on their laptops.

After receiving complaints from other soldiers, a sergeant and a private in the Mercian Battle Group were arrested by the military police. The UK Royal Military Police is investigating the allegations and has seized a number of laptops.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it is aware of the investigation, but gave no other details. It said allegations of this nature are taken 'very seriously' and said the investigation will determine the 'validity of the behavior in question.'

"We expect members of all ISAF troop-contributing nations to adhere to the highest standards of military service," said Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson, an ISAF spokesman. "An investigation has been launched, and if a service member is found to have committed an offense, or behaved in a manner not in keeping with the appropriate moral standards expected of them, they will be dealt with appropriately through the respective nation's military judicial system."

The office of Afghan President Hamid Karzai said it is 'deeply disturbed' by the reports and strongly condemned the 'immoral act'. "The government of Afghanistan is immensely disgusted by the rise in recent incidents of immoral nature among foreign soldiers that clearly undermine public confidence and the Afghan people's cooperation with foreign troops," a statement said.

The presidential office asked the British government to launch an immediate investigation into the allegations and to apply the 'necessary punishment' to those involved in the act.

A Taliban spokesperson also condemned the allegations on Thursday. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) denounces the shameless act of occupation soldiers as a standard of their morality," the spokesman said.

The latest allegations come just a week after a controversial video was uploaded to the Internet, showing four U.S. Marines, uniformed and equipped with combat gear, urinating on the bodies of three people, believed to be dead Taliban fighters. It also comes less than two weeks after the Afghan government claimed U.S. forces 'abused and tortured' prisoners at Afghanistan's main prison, Bagram.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-19

[GentlemanJim]

Like the marines who couldn't go elsewhere for a pee, with these guys the same situation will exist if true of course....their parents must be soooo proud of them What terrible things we take amusement from.

Edited January 19, 2012 by GentlemanJim

[Rusty2009]

power does corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely

[GentlemanJim]

power does corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely

A sage comment and one that we are reminded of daily with the world political and financial situation.

[flying]

The coalition forces need to go home.

At the end of the day & the trillions of dollars spent.......thousand of coalition lives lost....hundreds of thousands of locals lives lost

What will be achieved?

What will be lost?

What will change someday when they invariably leave?

Edited January 19, 2012 by flying

[Scott]

Do any of them carry guns, or are they all just armed with cameras?

If their behavior was bad enough, they film it for the entire world to see.

[koheesti]

I thought the Brits over there behaved themselves? They must have forgot they were at war and thought it was a stag do.

[flying]

Do any of them carry guns, or are they all just armed with cameras?

If their behavior was bad enough, they film it for the entire world to see.

I think it is just a sign of the times Scott

Seems everybody no matter where they are...they are somehow online or tethered to a camera phone etc.

[Pakboong]

Do any of them carry guns, or are they all just armed with cameras?

If their behavior was bad enough, they film it for the entire world to see.

I think it is just a sign of the times Scott

Seems everybody no matter where they are...they are somehow online or tethered to a camera phone etc.

Coupled with being in a place where there is nothing else to spend your money on.

[Wallaby]

Do any of them carry guns, or are they all just armed with cameras?

If their behavior was bad enough, they film it for the entire world to see.

I think it is just a sign of the times Scott

Seems everybody no matter where they are...they are somehow online or tethered to a camera phone etc.

I'm glad they do film it, otherwise they would just deny it and then people would say that you can't trust anything the afghan/Taliban says and it would have been swept under the carpet.

[bonobo]

One thing of note is that it was fellow soldiers who turned them in.

There are bad apples in any group of people, but the fact that others in a group can police themselves is a good sign.

[GentlemanJim]

The coalition forces need to go home.

At the end of the day & the trillions of dollars spent.......thousand of coalition lives lost....hundreds of thousands of locals lives lost

What will be achieved?

What will be lost?

What will change someday when they invariably leave?

and...what deeds be remembered!

[metisdead]

A baiting post has been removed.

[Steely Dan]

Yes this act is disgusting, doubly so as committed by people in a position of responsibility. Indeed I think this case is far more serious than the one involving U.S marines being filmed urinating on dead Taliban, but somehow doubt it will receive anything like the same amount of scrutiny.

[JUDAS]

Yes this act is disgusting, doubly so as committed by people in a position of responsibility. Indeed I think this case is far more serious than the one involving U.S marines being filmed urinating on dead Taliban, but somehow doubt it will receive anything like the same amount of scrutiny.

I'm in full agreement with SD on this one. Urinating on dead fighters is indeed disgusting and shows a lack of the right moral fiber in those involved. The act in the OP though, is in a league of it's own as it involves defenseless children. The only positive to be taken from the OP is, as already mentioned on this thread, the offenders were reported on by fellow service personnel.

[flying]

Yes this act is disgusting, doubly so as committed by people in a position of responsibility. Indeed I think this case is far more serious than the one involving U.S marines being filmed urinating on dead Taliban, but somehow doubt it will receive anything like the same amount of scrutiny.

While I agree both acts were very disgusting I never understand this tendency to have to compare terrible acts....

As if there is a prize for the one that is the least terrible???

As to a possible reasons why one may receive more scrutiny or attention......

I can only speak for myself but, The events that involve those who represent my country get more scrutiny than others.

It is a normal function I would think?

[endure]

Yes this act is disgusting, doubly so as committed by people in a position of responsibility. Indeed I think this case is far more serious than the one involving U.S marines being filmed urinating on dead Taliban, but somehow doubt it will receive anything like the same amount of scrutiny.

While I agree both acts were very disgusting I never understand this tendency to have to compare terrible acts....

As if there is a prize for the one that is the least terrible???

As to a possible reasons why one may receive more scrutiny or attention......

I can only speak for myself but, The events that involve those who represent my country get more scrutiny than others.

It is a normal function I would think?

You're the big boy in the playground. 150 years ago it would have been the UK that was getting all the attention.

[necronx99]

If you keep making men risk their lives in an inane, stupid war in a hopelessly barbaric country they will eventually start doing inane, stupid and barbaric things.

It's inevitable.

[smokie36]

One thing of note is that it was fellow soldiers who turned them in.

There are bad apples in any group of people, but the fact that others in a group can police themselves is a good sign.

Spot on. They have disgraced their uniform. Their colleagues will be ashamed of their behaviour.

Edited January 20, 2012 by smokie36

[Steely Dan]

Yes this act is disgusting, doubly so as committed by people in a position of responsibility. Indeed I think this case is far more serious than the one involving U.S marines being filmed urinating on dead Taliban, but somehow doubt it will receive anything like the same amount of scrutiny.

While I agree both acts were very disgusting I never understand this tendency to have to compare terrible acts....

As if there is a prize for the one that is the least terrible???

As to a possible reasons why one may receive more scrutiny or attention......

I can only speak for myself but, The events that involve those who represent my country get more scrutiny than others.

It is a normal function I would think?

I wouldn't mind betting that if the British empire was still the No 1 world power the condemnation would be considerably louder. You see the reason for the comparison is that it is an indirect way of detecting possible agendas which run as a common thread through many news stories. A bit like how astronomers intuit the position of planets orbiting distant stars due to minute fluctuations in the light they emit.

[geriatrickid]

Before commenting, one should at least see the videos in question. Who knows what the content is? Everyone is relying on 2nd and 3rd hand accounts.

[maiphedmaiaroi]

Before commenting, one should at least see the videos in question. Who knows what the content is? Everyone is relying on 2nd and 3rd hand accounts.

I wouldnt want to see the video about this thread.

Surely pedophilia no one wants to see. Do they?

[Wallaby]

Before commenting, one should at least see the videos in question. Who knows what the content is? Everyone is relying on 2nd and 3rd hand accounts.

I wouldnt want to see the video about this thread.

Surely pedophilia no one wants to see. Do they?

Yes I think we can do without that and leave the decisions to those that have to watch it in order to condemn. Of course that doesn't mean we can't condemn on what is reported, without the visual.

[lonexpat]

This sort of behaviour is not an affront to the British army. It"s an affront to humankind. Unfortunately it"s something that"s been around for centuries but has only been reported over the last 30 years or so

[geriatrickid]

Before commenting, one should at least see the videos in question. Who knows what the content is? Everyone is relying on 2nd and 3rd hand accounts.

I wouldnt want to see the video about this thread.

Surely pedophilia no one wants to see. Do they?

Yes I think we can do without that and leave the decisions to those that have to watch it in order to condemn. Of course that doesn't mean we can't condemn on what is reported, without the visual.

Let me rephrase then; To date we have an allegation without a conclusive investigation. I draw your attention to the following statement;

the investigation will determine the 'validity of the behavior in question.'

I appreciate that the dissemination of alleged improper video recordings is inappropriate. Yet, how can people condemn when there hasn't even been an investigation, when there is not a reliable summary of the material and no one here has seen the material?

I am in no way excusing inappropriate or illegal activity. However, it is only fair to exercise judicious restraint until such time as there is actual evidence of wrong doing. I am reminded of the parents that were investigated for kiddie porn when they took their film to the local developer, The images were those of their children cavorting naked or in the bath. Ometimes we find images offensive that may be innocent in nature or that are viewed out of context. All I am saying, is to have the investigation first, with the evidence compiled and reviewed before passing judgement. All we have now are allegations.

[maiphedmaiaroi]

Before commenting, one should at least see the videos in question. Who knows what the content is? Everyone is relying on 2nd and 3rd hand accounts.

I wouldnt want to see the video about this thread.

Surely pedophilia no one wants to see. Do they?

Yes I think we can do without that and leave the decisions to those that have to watch it in order to condemn. Of course that doesn't mean we can't condemn on what is reported, without the visual.

Let me rephrase then; To date we have an allegation without a conclusive investigation. I draw your attention to the following statement;

the investigation will determine the 'validity of the behavior in question.'

I appreciate that the dissemination of alleged improper video recordings is inappropriate. Yet, how can people condemn when there hasn't even been an investigation, when there is not a reliable summary of the material and no one here has seen the material?

I am in no way excusing inappropriate or illegal activity. However, it is only fair to exercise judicious restraint until such time as there is actual evidence of wrong doing. I am reminded of the parents that were investigated for kiddie porn when they took their film to the local developer, The images were those of their children cavorting naked or in the bath. Ometimes we find images offensive that may be innocent in nature or that are viewed out of context. All I am saying, is to have the investigation first, with the evidence compiled and reviewed before passing judgement. All we have now are allegations.

So whats the point in the op posting this then if there isnt meant to be a discussion?

[GentlemanJim]

Let me rephrase then; To date we have an allegation without a conclusive investigation. I draw your attention to the following statement;

the investigation will determine the 'validity of the behavior in question.'

I appreciate that the dissemination of alleged improper video recordings is inappropriate. Yet, how can people condemn when there hasn't even been an investigation, when there is not a reliable summary of the material and no one here has seen the material?

I am in no way excusing inappropriate or illegal activity. However, it is only fair to exercise judicious restraint until such time as there is actual evidence of wrong doing. I am reminded of the parents that were investigated for kiddie porn when they took their film to the local developer, The images were those of their children cavorting naked or in the bath. Ometimes we find images offensive that may be innocent in nature or that are viewed out of context. All I am saying, is to have the investigation first, with the evidence compiled and reviewed before passing judgement. All we have now are allegations.

I imagine there are many occupants of Guantanamo that would have dearly wished for such a legally sound approach.

[Pakboong]

This sort of behaviour is not an affront to the British army. It"s an affront to humankind. Unfortunately it"s something that"s been around for centuries but has only been reported over the last 30 years or so

I am not so sure that the last 30 years have out done the rest of history. I would think that the opposite would be the case.

[koheesti]

This sort of behaviour is not an affront to the British army. It"s an affront to humankind. Unfortunately it"s something that"s been around for centuries but has only been reported over the last 30 years or so

That's one of the "benefits" of almost instant global communication and anyone being able to afford a mobile phone with a camera on it.

[maidu]

This sort of behaviour is not an affront to the British army. It"s an affront to humankind. Unfortunately it"s something that"s been around for centuries but has only been reported over the last 30 years or so