Judge Accepts Plea Deal From Afghan Soldier Accused Of Murdering 16 US Troops
BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN — The Afghan soldier accused of killing 16 U.S. military personnel in a "green-on-blue" attack, many of them asleep in their tents, pleaded guilty to murder Thursday in an effort to avoid the death penalty.
Corporal Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed's plea ensures that he will avoid the most serious punishments from the Afghan court, including death by firing squad, dismemberment, torture with fire, and sex with a woman.
Prosecutors say Mohammed slipped away before dawn on March 11, 2012, from his camp at Bagram Air Field. Armed with an AK-47 rifle and an "I hate infidels" t-shirt, he attacked the tents of multiple U.S. troops, then returned to tell a fellow soldier what he had done.
The soldier believed every word he said and joined him as he again attacked other tents.
The brother of Sgt. Robert Phillips, who was slain in the massacre, told Duffel Blog Thursday that, "If Afghanistan does not apply the death penalty to Mohammed for this criminal and murderous behavior, then i…
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