Wednesday, June 20, 2012

US to Impose Discipline for Afghan Koran Burners; Afghan Official Prefers They Serve Life in Prison

The Reuters website reports today (June 20, 2012) that U.S. soldiers involved in burning copies of the Koran in Afghanistan may face only administrative discipline -- a move that could deepen frustration among Afghans seeking more serious punishment for a series of public American missteps there this year.

A U.S. official -- speaking on condition of anonymity -- said today that an investigation into the February  incident  on a NATO military base near Kabul concluded with recommendations for administrative action for the military personnel involved.

Such action might be a written reprimand or docked pay -- but not job loss or criminal charges -- the official said. U.S. military officials have not yet announced any final decisions on the recommendations.

Nazir Ahmad Hanafi -- a member of Afghanistan's Ulema Council of Clerics who also took part in an initial joint Afghan-U.S. probe into the incident -- said he favored a more severe punishment, possibly even life in prison. "Otherwise, it will inflame public opinion," he said.

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