GI Charged in Attack on 101st Airborne

GI Charged in Attack on 101st Airborne

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A U.S. soldier could face the death penalty after being charged with murder for allegedly tossing grenades into his comrades' tents in Kuwait last month.


Two officers were killed in the attack, and 14 soldiers were wounded in the March 23 attack at Camp Pennsylvania.


Sgt. Hasan K. Akbar, 32, was charged two days after the attacks. Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division, announced the charges Friday.


Akbar is the only person charged in the attack at the command center of the 101st Division's 1st Brigade.


Akbar is being held at an undisclosed U.S. military facility. Military lawyers assigned to represent Akbar had no comment, the military's statement said.


Dennis Olgin, a retired judge advocate general's corps officer, said the charges carry the death penalty. A commander overseeing the case will decide what penalty to seek, Olgin said.


Akbar, an American Muslim, told family members he was wary of going to war in Iraq (news - web sites). His mother, Quran Bilal, told The Tennessean of Nashville that she was concerned he might have been accused because he is a Muslim.


Akbar was charged under military law with two counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. Akbar was also charged with aggravated arson of an inhabited dwelling and misbehavior as a sentinel while receiving special pay.


Olgin said the 17 attempted murder charges likely include other soldiers in the tents who were not injured.


Killed in the attack were Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert, 27, of Easton, Pa., and Air Force Maj. Gregory Stone, 40, of Boise, Idaho.


Akbar, of the 101st's 326th Engineer Battalion, was taken into custody shortly after the explosions, and a military magistrate found probable cause that he committed the attack. An earlier statement from Fort Campbell said three grenades were thrown or rolled through the front door of three tents.


Akbar's case has been forwarded to the commander of his unit who has authority to direct an investigation under Article 32 of military law, the post said. An Article 32 investigation is similar to a civilian grand jury. A 30-day delay was granted due to the war in Iraq.

 

It will be lucky if it only gets life imprisonment.

 

He was in his nations uniform and killed and maimed his own, no excuse. He deserves what ever he gets.

 

I don't think he will receive the death penalty though-maybe..LIFE WITH HARD LABOUR IN LEAVENWORTH!!!!

 

I would agree. Too many politics involved but love to see him face the firing squad. This was an attack during wartime. Should be tried as a traitor and at least for murdering 2 honorable soldiers.

 

I also agree--too many politics involved. I can almost bet it will only get 25 years "hard" labor. Remember johnny "bin walker" lynn? It ONLY got 20 yrs in Fed Prison Fed Prison is a CAKE-WALK and nothing but a Holidays compared to being in a state prison.

 

I agree. He should be put to death immediately.

 

As you know I'm against the death penalty.

Best regards/ Daniel

 

ANY NEWS OR UPDATES ON HIS SENTENCE?

 

I haven't heard much except that IT is now back on US soil and awaiting trial.