UNPRECEDENTED: 2 Navy SEALs' detainee abuse trials moved to Iraq

[Gordon Ray Kissinger]

2 Navy SEALs' detainee abuse trials moved to Iraq
By LARRY O'DELL
The Associated Press


RICHMOND, Va. — Two Navy SEALs accused in the mistreatment of an Iraqi detainee will be tried in a U.S. military court in Iraq.

A military judge at Naval Station Norfolk on Monday moved the courts-martial of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe and Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas to Camp Victory, site of the alleged abuse. The trials are set for April.

Keefe and Huertas are accused of trying to cover up after a third SEAL allegedly punched an Iraqi suspected in a 2004 ambush that killed four U.S. security contractors.

Prosecutors said they would not bring the detainee to Norfolk to testify. The judge ruled Keefe and Huertas have the right to face their accuser.

The three SEALs have received an outpouring of public support, including the backing of several members of Congress.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Navy SEAL accused in the mistreatment of an Iraqi detainee will be tried in a U.S. military court in Iraq.

A military judge in Virginia on Monday set the court-martial of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Keefe for April 6 at Camp Victory, site of the alleged abuse.

Keefe and another SEAL are accused of trying to cover up after a third SEAL allegedly punched an Iraqi suspected in a 2004 ambush that killed four U.S. security contractors.

Prosecutors said they would not bring the detainee to Norfolk to testify. The judge ruled Keefe has the right to face his accuser and moved his trial. Keefe is from Yorktown, Va.

The three SEALs have received an outpouring of public support, including the backing of several members of Congress.

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January 11, 2010 04:40 PM EST

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