A Canadian soldier, Capt. Robert Semrau is on trial for the alledged killing of a wounded Taliban captive. Full article is at Lorne Gunter: The honour of Capt. Semrau | Full Comment | National Post Hope this is the right place to post this. welcome any thoughts any of the members might have on this issue. Responders to the National Post article came in with a resounding "not guilty"
I am a Canadian. Have been following this story with considerable disbelief since it started. No chance to get the enemy out. No chance to fix his wounds. Bad decision to clear out leaving him alive, for him to give a report to his tallywhacker friends before they off him anyway. Not like the Taliban could have saved him either. Captain Semrau should be given a medal, not a trial. Something very rotten is going on here. God Bless and Good Luck Captain
We live in a country where a murderer, responsible for two more shootings - one of which has probably blinded a decent copper for life - has taken the option of shooting himself with his own weapon......so now we are about to embark on our national pastime of deciding which senior police officer is guilty. He wants to think himself lucky hes a Canadian, if he was a Brit he'd already be in prison. Some balanced writing by Lorne Gunter I see! Pete
Quick reaction without knowing any details: Having spent much energy to treat TBs in accordance with a convention they themselves (of course) neither have signed nor show any tendency to follow, I feel deep sympathy with Capt Semrau. Sadly, in a dirty war dirty solutions sometimes seem unavoidable.
Pete - we have as many nut bars over here as well - a bunch of protesters came from Montreal to Toronto to protest the G20 Summit do - a few windows were broken - the Police arrested hundreds - stood them in the rain for a few hours until they cooled off - then released them ....NOW the protesters are protesting the Police action as offensive ......if I had my way their next protest would be in Afghanistan - where it appears not to rain too much ! Cheers !
You can only judge this Officer's actions if you have been placed in the same lose-lose situation. As one of the comments on the article state, "Aquit, Medal, Promote" The Taliban don't fight to the recognised rules of war but they are still treated fairly by the coalition troops. the options were, leave the man to bleed and die or, hasten his way to his paradise in a less painful manner. I think I know which I would have chosen and I'm sorry to say it wouldn't be seen as the more humane one of the two, but that is for different reasons.
will this trial be in front of a civil or a military court? whats the legislation in cases like this?
will this trial be in front of a civil or a military court? whats the legislation in cases like this? You will find more info in the link provided in the original post.
You will find more info in the link provided in the original post. it would be kind if someone could just answere my question because english is not my first language and sometime its hard (especially articles and essays in newspapers) to understand the coherences. it would even have taken you less time....
Capt Semrau's guilt/innocence wil be decided by a four-man military tribunal. I'm not sure about legislation; however, it appears that, if found guilty, he could face a life sentence for murder - all according to the article. Hope this helps. Roxy PS I'm not sure that Stormbird was being awkward; I think that he was just trying to help.
Roxy - yes you are right Stormbird was just trying to help - she is like that you know from her cushy billet in Afghanistan . Cheers
I think that he was just trying to help I know and I appreciate it. maybe I sound a little demanding from time to time....but thats just another thing caused by my inadequate english skills. do not take the character of my words to serious and try to get the point behind it. and of course, always tell me if there are any irritations caused by me
Only one that has seen combat can appreciate the circumstances. I hope that that the 4 officers in charge of the case are combat veterans. Capt. Semrau had an unblemished record of service in both the British and Canadian Armies.
Captain Semrau has been found guilty on the lesser charge of disgraceful conduct. More details at the link below. For jury in Semrau case, penalty didn't fit crime - The Globe and Mail Retired General Lewis Mckenzie opines that the incident should have been left on the battlefield. I agree
Retired General Lewis Mckenzie opines that the incident should have been left on the battlefield. I agree Seconded
Retired General Lewis Mckenzie opines that the incident should have been left on the battlefield. I agree definitely!
Originally Posted by 17thDYRCH Retired General Lewis Mckenzie opines that the incident should have been left on the battlefield. I agree Fourth ! Some good news for a change. I wonder what the disgraceful conduct penalty will be, but I doubt jail.