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Afghan massacre: Kandahar families given compensation | Afghan massacre: Kandahar families given compensation |
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Afghan families who lost relatives in the Kandahar massacre have been paid compensation, the BBC has learnt. | Afghan families who lost relatives in the Kandahar massacre have been paid compensation, the BBC has learnt. |
The US military gave $46,000 (£29,000) for each person killed, and $10,000 (£6,300) for each person injured, Afghan officials and tribal elders say. | |
US staff sergeant Robert Bales was charged on Friday with 17 counts of premeditated murder. | US staff sergeant Robert Bales was charged on Friday with 17 counts of premeditated murder. |
Meanwhile, eight Afghan police officers and an Isaf foreign soldier have been killed by a bomb in Kandahar province. | |
They were on patrol when they were hit by an improvised explosive device late on Saturday, officials said. | |
"Four Afghan local police and three national police, one Isaf soldier and one Afghan interpreter were killed," Shah Mohammad, administrator for Arghandab district, said. | |
'No confession' over massacre | |
Family members attended a private meeting with personnel from the US military and the Nato-led ISAF forces at the offices of Kandahar's governor, the BBC has learnt. | Family members attended a private meeting with personnel from the US military and the Nato-led ISAF forces at the offices of Kandahar's governor, the BBC has learnt. |
The families were told that some witnesses would be flown to the US to give evidence - and others would be able to participate by videolink - when Staff Sgt Bales stands trial over the deadly night-time rampage in Panjwai district on 11 March. | |
The US army said on Friday that Sgt Bales had been formally charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder - nine Afghan children and eight adults. | The US army said on Friday that Sgt Bales had been formally charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder - nine Afghan children and eight adults. |
Afghan officials and villagers say 16 died - 12 in Balandi and four in Alkozai - and the US military has not explained the discrepancy. | Afghan officials and villagers say 16 died - 12 in Balandi and four in Alkozai - and the US military has not explained the discrepancy. |
Sgt Bales, 38, was also charged with six counts of attempted murder over attacks on a man, a woman and four children. | Sgt Bales, 38, was also charged with six counts of attempted murder over attacks on a man, a woman and four children. |
The soldier is currently being held at a military jail in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is being held in solitary confinement after being flown out of Afghanistan last week. | The soldier is currently being held at a military jail in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is being held in solitary confinement after being flown out of Afghanistan last week. |
His lawyer, who has played down reports that his client was drunk on the night of the killings, has said Sgt Bales remembers "very little" of the incident. | His lawyer, who has played down reports that his client was drunk on the night of the killings, has said Sgt Bales remembers "very little" of the incident. |
John Henry Browne said there was "no forensic evidence" against him and "no confession". | John Henry Browne said there was "no forensic evidence" against him and "no confession". |
Sgt Bales is the only known suspect in the killings - despite repeated Afghan assertions that more than one American was involved. | Sgt Bales is the only known suspect in the killings - despite repeated Afghan assertions that more than one American was involved. |
His trial could take years, contrasting with Afghan demands for swift and decisive justice, and he could face the death penalty if convicted. | His trial could take years, contrasting with Afghan demands for swift and decisive justice, and he could face the death penalty if convicted. |
The shooting spree has further undermined relations between Kabul and Washington. The Taliban called off peace talks in the wake of the deadly rampage. |