US troops illegally killed many Iraqi civilians, ex-Marine tells Canadian immigration board News
US troops illegally killed many Iraqi civilians, ex-Marine tells Canadian immigration board

[JURIST] A former US Marine staff sergeant testifying in support of a fellow American who fled to Canada in protest against being deployed to Iraq told the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board Tuesday that his unit in Iraq (3rd battalion, 7th Marines) had repeatedly and indiscriminately killed many women, children and other unarmed civilians in violation of international law – over 30 in 48 hours during one session of checkpoint duty in Baghdad. Jimmy Massey testified to support Jeremy Hinzman, a South Dakota native who deserted the 82nd Airborne in January, claiming the war was illegal and criminal that any acts of violence committed in support of that would be an unconscionable atrocity. Massey said that US troops were trained to regard all Iraqis as potential terrorists: "I was deeply concerned about the civilian casualties," he said. "What they were doing was committing murder." Massey also told the tribunal that he now suffers from nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder because of his experiences. Canadian Press has more; AFP also covers the story.