A preliminary hearing has begun for US soldier Sgt Robert Bales for the murder of 16 Afghan villagers, mostly women and children, in the Afghan province of Kandahar in March earlier this year.

Sgt Robert Bales faces 16 counts of murder with premeditation, six counts of premeditated attempted murder, six counts of assault, as well as charges of impeding the investigation, use and possession of steroids and the consumption of alcohol, forbidden to US soldiers in Afghanistan, reported the New York Times.

Nine of the dead were children, with 11 of the victims coming from the same family. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

With live video witness testimony from Afghanistan reported to be used during the trial, the Spiegel spoke to one of the deceased’s father Mohammed Wazir, who lost 6 children in the massacre.

He was quoted as saying,

"I do not cry. I have 10 fingers on my hands. Such was my pain that day, as if someone had cut off all 10 of my fingers. I had seven children. Now I am left with one son. It doesn't bring the dead to life if I cry."

"Why didn't the murderer wait for me... Why did he kill my children but not wait for me?"

We want to see this man hang,... I won't speak his name, I don't want to dirty my mouth. I would like to hang him myself. I'll go to America to the Mahkama [court], to the great court, to see him hang. Then my heart will be calm."

Earlier this year compensation was paid by the US military to some of the families of the deadly attack (see here).

However, the demand for justice was clear.

One victim’s brother stated,

“I want no compensation, from no one. I don't want Hajj [pilgrimage to Mecca], I don't want money, I don't want a villa inAino Mina [a posh neighbourhood in Kandahar city], I just want the punishment of the Americans. I want it, I want it, I want it. And I have laid down my own head in god's will. And if that is not possible, god be with you, I am leaving right now.”