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Robert Bales to face murder charges over Afghan massacre Robert Bales to face murder charges over Afghan massacre
(40 minutes later)
A US soldier suspected of killing civilians in Afghanistan will be charged with 17 counts of murder, Pentagon officials have told the BBC.A US soldier suspected of killing civilians in Afghanistan will be charged with 17 counts of murder, Pentagon officials have told the BBC.
Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is suspected of attacking the villagers inside their homes in Panjwai district, Kandahar province, on 11 March. Staff Sgt Robert Bales is accused of attacking the villagers in their homes in Kandahar province on 11 March. Most victims were women and children.
The victims were mostly women and children. Sgt Bales, 38, was later moved to a military prison in the US after being transported from Afghanistan to Kuwait.
The 38-year-old was moved to a military prison in the US after being transported from Afghanistan to Kuwait. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Sgt Bales is the only known suspect in the killings - despite repeated Afghan assertions that more than one American was involved. 'No evidence'
He is being held in solitary confinement at a military detention centre in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after being flown from Afghanistan via Kuwait last Friday. Sgt Bales would also be charged with six counts of assault and attempted murder, a Pentagon official told the BBC.
The soldier is the only known suspect in the killings - despite repeated Afghan assertions that more than one American was involved.
He is being held in solitary confinement at a military detention centre in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
His lawyer, who has played down reports that his client was drunk on the night of the killings, said earlier this week he remembers "very little" of the incident.His lawyer, who has played down reports that his client was drunk on the night of the killings, said earlier this week he remembers "very little" of the incident.
John Henry Brown also said there was "no forensic evidence" against Staff Sgt Robert Bales and "no confession".
The case has undermined US relations with Kabul and led to calls for Nato to speed up its planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.The case has undermined US relations with Kabul and led to calls for Nato to speed up its planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
The Pentagon has said that Sgt Bales could face charges that carry a possible death penalty. Sgt Bales' trial could take years, contrasting with Afghan demands for swift and decisive justice.
Such a trial could take years, contrasting with Afghan demands for swift and decisive justice. The Taliban called off peace talks in the wake of the deadly rampage.
The Taliban called off peace talks in the wake of the deadly rampage, in which men, women and children were shot and killed at close range.