US Probe Calls for Punishment of Troops in Quran Burning

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 8:45 pm (UTC-5)
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A U.S. military investigation into the burning of Qurans at Bagram Air Base near the Afghan capital, Kabul, last February has recommended disciplinary action against up to seven troops.

U.S. military officials said Tuesday no final decision has been made yet on the findings of the probe. According to the officials, one member of the Navy and up to six Army troops could face administrative punishments, but no criminal charges.

NATO troops stationed at Bagram attempted to dispose of a load of Qurans by setting them on fire, but were stopped by Afghan employees.

The incident sparked deadly riots across Afghanistan and attacks on NATO troops that killed some 30 people and led to the deaths of four Americans and plunged relations between coalition troops and their Afghan allies to an all-time low.

U.S. President Barak Obama apologized for the incident.

A preliminary joint investigation by senior U.S. and Afghan military officials in March concluded that while mistakes were made in the burning of copies of Islam's Holy books, there was no intent to desecrate them.