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Royal Marines accused of killing Afghan prisoner appear in court Royal Marines accused of killing Afghan prisoner appear in court
(25 days later)
Five Royal Marines charged with the murder of a captured Afghan national have appeared in court.Five Royal Marines charged with the murder of a captured Afghan national have appeared in court.
The commandos were charged with murder following an incident believed to have happened in September last year in Afghanistan.The commandos were charged with murder following an incident believed to have happened in September last year in Afghanistan.
The men – who for legal reasons can only be referred to as Marines A, B, C, D and E – attended for a plea and case management hearing at the military court centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, but the case was adjourned to 8 March.The men – who for legal reasons can only be referred to as Marines A, B, C, D and E – attended for a plea and case management hearing at the military court centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, but the case was adjourned to 8 March.
The five marines sat behind a white screen in the packed courtroom as they listened to legal argument from the prosecution and defence.The five marines sat behind a white screen in the packed courtroom as they listened to legal argument from the prosecution and defence.
Prosecutor David Perry told judge advocate General Jeff Blackett that there was "good reason" for the case to be adjourned.Prosecutor David Perry told judge advocate General Jeff Blackett that there was "good reason" for the case to be adjourned.
Perry said: "What we would seek is a date for an effective plea and case management hearing.Perry said: "What we would seek is a date for an effective plea and case management hearing.
"They [defence counsel] have not had the benefit of considering all the material."They [defence counsel] have not had the benefit of considering all the material.
"I wonder if your honour will accept from me that there is good reason they should not be arraigned."I wonder if your honour will accept from me that there is good reason they should not be arraigned.
"We are all confident if that date is fixed for the plea and case management hearing on 8 March it would be properly effective.""We are all confident if that date is fixed for the plea and case management hearing on 8 March it would be properly effective."
The judge told the court he would therefore list the case for a hearing on that date.The judge told the court he would therefore list the case for a hearing on that date.
The court also heard that the trial would be set for a date not before 1 September next year.The court also heard that the trial would be set for a date not before 1 September next year.
After the first hearing in October, which was held behind closed doors, a judge granted the marines anonymity due to a "real and immediate risk" to the men's lives.After the first hearing in October, which was held behind closed doors, a judge granted the marines anonymity due to a "real and immediate risk" to the men's lives.
Since then further orders have been granted extending the anonymity order, which will be reviewed at the conclusion of court martial proceedings.Since then further orders have been granted extending the anonymity order, which will be reviewed at the conclusion of court martial proceedings.
Blackett released the marines on conditional bail.Blackett released the marines on conditional bail.
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