Contractor to face court-martial in Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Contractor to face court-martial in Iraq
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday May 11, 2008 15:30:06 EDT

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military on Sunday ordered a court-martial for a civilian contractor charged with aggravated assault while working as an Army translator in Iraq — the first such military prosecution since the Vietnam War.

Alaa “Alex” Mohammad Ali, who holds dual Iraqi-Canadian citizenship, is accused of stabbing another contractor four times during a fight Feb. 23 on a base near Hit, 85 miles west of Baghdad. The victim suffered chest wounds.

In 2006, Congress gave the military authority to prosecute crimes allegedly committed by civilians working for the armed forces.

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the second-ranking U.S. commander in Iraq, referred the case, the military said in a statement.

“This is the first time a civilian will be tried by court-martial” under the 2006 amendment, it said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_contractortrial_051108/