Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Iraqi ex-soldier in German court over beheaded IS jihadist photos

-

A Berlin court on Wednesday began hearing a case against a former Iraqi soldier charged with war crimes after he allegedly posed for photographs with the severed heads of two IS jihadists.

The 28-year-old, identified by the court as Rami K., was photographed in March 2015 holding the severed heads by their hair.

The accused was then a soldier in the Iraqi army, and the picture, taken near the city of Tikrit -- about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Baghdad, has been widely circulated on the internet.

Defendant Rami K sits next to his lawyer Marvin Schroth as he waits for the opening of his trial in ...
Defendant Rami K sits next to his lawyer Marvin Schroth as he waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin, on February 22, 2017
Paul Zinken, dpa/AFP

The man subsequently fled to Germany in 2015, seeking refuge along with a record influx of asylum seekers in Europe's biggest economy.

But he was arrested in August 2016 and placed under provisional detention.

According to prosecutors, he posed for the photo in order to "humiliate the dead".

"He is therefore liable for two counts of war crimes," said the prosecution.

Defendant Rami K waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin  on February 22  2017
Defendant Rami K waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin, on February 22, 2017
, AFP

The former soldier said during the investigation that he was simply following orders and that he had feared that to refuse would mean losing the respect of his unit.

In court on Wednesday, he said through an interpreter: "Had I refused to follow this order, the penalty would have been execution".

A Berlin court on Wednesday began hearing a case against a former Iraqi soldier charged with war crimes after he allegedly posed for photographs with the severed heads of two IS jihadists.

The 28-year-old, identified by the court as Rami K., was photographed in March 2015 holding the severed heads by their hair.

The accused was then a soldier in the Iraqi army, and the picture, taken near the city of Tikrit — about 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Baghdad, has been widely circulated on the internet.

Defendant Rami K sits next to his lawyer Marvin Schroth as he waits for the opening of his trial in ...

Defendant Rami K sits next to his lawyer Marvin Schroth as he waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin, on February 22, 2017
Paul Zinken, dpa/AFP

The man subsequently fled to Germany in 2015, seeking refuge along with a record influx of asylum seekers in Europe’s biggest economy.

But he was arrested in August 2016 and placed under provisional detention.

According to prosecutors, he posed for the photo in order to “humiliate the dead”.

“He is therefore liable for two counts of war crimes,” said the prosecution.

Defendant Rami K waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin  on February 22  2017

Defendant Rami K waits for the opening of his trial in Berlin, on February 22, 2017
, AFP

The former soldier said during the investigation that he was simply following orders and that he had feared that to refuse would mean losing the respect of his unit.

In court on Wednesday, he said through an interpreter: “Had I refused to follow this order, the penalty would have been execution”.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...