Six soldiers and three marines have escaped criminal prosecution and received administrative punishments for burning the Quran and urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters.
The actions by the soldiers triggered widespread rioting and led to retaliatory killings of at least four US military personnel and the deaths of over 30 Afghans.
The exact punishments have not been revealed but could include demotions, forfeit of pay and extra duty.
Up to a hundred copies of the Quran had been burnt ‘mistakenly’ by the soldiers, according findings from the investigations into the incident.
Brigadier General Bryan Watson, the investigating officer, wrote: "I absolutely reject any suggestion that those involved acted with any malicious intent to disrespect the Koran or defame the faith of Islam."
President Obama apologised to Afghan president Hamid Karzai at the time for the incident.
How the US and Israeli justice systems whitewash state crimes - The Guardian (28 Aug 2012)
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