Soldier pleads 'not guilty' to manslaughter of 3 US Special Forces instructors

Jordan

Published: 2017-06-14 13:59

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 06:46


The Jordanian soldier pleaded "not guilty."
The Jordanian soldier pleaded  "not guilty."

The Jordanian soldier accused of the manslaughter of three US Special Forces instructors in November 2016 has entered a plea of not guilty at a military court hearing on Wednesday.

The soldier is charged with the manslaughter of the three US Special Forces instructors, who were allegedly shot dead as they drove towards the entrance to the King Faisal Airbase in Jafer, Maan, on November 4, 2016.

Arrested in late 2016, the defendant on Wednesday denied the charges of killing more than one person, insulting the dignity and reputation of the Jordanian Armed Forces and violating military orders, during a military court trial.

When asked to enter a plea and whether or not he understood the charges brought against him by the military prosecutor, the soldier replied “I am not guilty”.

The court held its fourth public session under the chairmanship of military judge Col. Mohammed Al Afif, as well as military judges Lt. Col. Abdulla Al Fawaz and Maj. Safwan Al Zu'bi, in the presence of the Attorney General's Prosecutor Maj. Awadh Al Dajah.

The court heard one witness from among 11 witnesses due to be called, and are scheduled to hear four prosecution witnesses on Sunday.

The three US service members killed in November 2016 were from the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.