Cameraman Jose Couso died in the Hotel Palestine in Baghdad in 2003, with a Ukrainian colleague, Taras Portsyuk.
Judge Santiago Pedraz has previously issued several arrest warrants for Sgt Shawn Gibson, Capt Philip Wolford and Lt Col Philip de Camp.
However, the US has made clear it will not hand them over.
Judge Pedraz charged the three men with homicide and "a crime against the international community".
This is defined under Spanish law as an indiscriminate or excessive attack against civilians during war time, says the Associated Press.
After the incident, which was highly publicised at the time, then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell said American troops had come under fire from the hotel.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6600713.stm
2007-04-27 05:58:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They are not on trial in the US they are accused of killing Spanish civilians.
2007-04-27 06:03:14 · update #1
And Americans wonder why they are so hated! The answers here show exactly why. Look, these men are accused of murder. It doesn't matter what their job is. The US expects anyone committing acts against US citizens handed over to the US for trial so why shouldn't other countries expect the same courtesy?
What the rest of the world sees is the US government protecting murderers. But why should anything different be expected after farces like My Lai? A handful of people disgrace the uniform of the US and get away with it because of a blind jingoist attitude by many.
2007-04-27 06:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Elizabeth Howard 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are in a killing zone, on purpose, then you just have to take your chances.
The only foreign law Americans are forced to obey is the Constitution of the former USSR as it has been introduced into American law by Liberal federal judges, such as the separation of church and state (article 50 something) and public housing for all (it is a tax and spend idea) and soon socialized medicine.
2007-04-27 06:13:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Once again it shows the arrogance of the American government. They also cover up killing British soldiers so what chance does a press man have to receive justice.
2007-04-27 07:09:28 · answer #3 · answered by cheryl l 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Soldiers cannot be put on trial in a foreign land for an act of war. Had they shot up a hotel in Barcelona for kicks, they'd be handed over in a heartbeat.
Now, if and when the war is declared illegal, they may be charged with war crimes.
2007-04-27 06:39:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
American troops had come under fire from the hotel.a civilian was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got killed.War is hell get in it or get out of the way.
2007-04-27 06:13:19 · answer #5 · answered by tellitlikeitis 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would be surprised if a Spanish court has jurisdiction over anything that happens in Iraq.
2007-04-27 06:18:55 · answer #6 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Judge Pedraz can go pound sand and his judgment where the sun don't shine. He has NO jurisdiction what so ever in this matter.
2007-04-27 06:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by Sane 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a military matter. Coward lieberals wouldn't understand and never will.
2007-04-27 06:18:13 · answer #8 · answered by Kevin A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Screw pedraz, spanish law, and the other morons who have ZERO jurisdiction over US soldiers. He should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell.
2007-04-27 06:02:59 · answer #9 · answered by groofulsnods 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
For better or for worse, the United States does not recognize
the perogatives of any other court in the world.
I think its pretty isolationist and self-defeatest, but ...
2007-04-27 06:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by Elana 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋