Afghan cleric shot dead by Western troops; NATO apologizes

[kpete]

Source: Los Angeles Times


Afghan cleric shot dead by Western troops; NATO apologizes
The imam was apparently mistaken for a potential suicide bomber, officials and witnesses say. 'I express my sincere regrets for this loss of life,' a NATO spokesman says hours after the killing.
By Laura King

January 28, 2010 | 9:35 a.m.

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - Western troops traveling through the capital of Afghanistan in a military convoy today shot dead an Islamic cleric, apparently mistaking him for a would-be suicide bomber, officials and witnesses said.

NATO acknowledged its forces had fired on what appeared to be a "threatening vehicle," and expressed regret over the death. Afghan police said two of the cleric's children were in the car with him, but they were unhurt.

The incident took place hours before Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaking to a major security conference in London, urged that greater care be taken when foreign troops come into contact with civilians.

The fatal shooting, which occurred during morning rush hour, took place close to a U.S. military base on the city's eastern edge that had been the scene of a suicide car bombing two days earlier. Eight Western troops and at least half a dozen Afghan civilians were injured in that blast, outside an installation known as Camp Phoenix.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-cleric29-2010jan29,0,3647119.story

[Chulanowa]

1. Apologies don't bring people back to life

What sort of restitution and appeal to justice is being made?

Silly question?

[elocs]

2. I have a godson who finished a tour of duty in Afghanistan last year.

Up in the mountains near the border with Pakistan--the Korengal Valley. Just the week before he got there 5 U.S. troops were killed when their position was overrun. It's not a nice place to be.

When I saw him this last Christmas he told me that if an Afghani was killed by U.S. or NATO forces that the relatives were right there the next morning wanting their restitution money. That was simply his experience and I wasn't about to call him a liar.

[Robb]

4. I have heard this is the norm as well.

I find it however interesting the speed with which the killing was mea culpa'ed and announced publicly. That does not seem normal.

[thereismore]

3. O M G this can be really bad. nt

[change_notfinetuning]

5. Another day, another enemy or two. Carry on. n/t