2011 Helmand Province killing facts for kids
The 2011 Helmand Province killing was a serious event that happened on September 15, 2011, during the war in Afghanistan. A British soldier, Alexander Blackman, was involved in the death of a wounded Taliban fighter. This event led to a major trial and a lot of discussion in the United Kingdom.
Blackman and two other Royal Marines, known as Marines B and C during their trial, faced a special military court called a court martial. In November 2013, Marines B and C were found not guilty. However, Alexander Blackman (Marine A) was first found guilty of murder. This made him the first British soldier since World War II to be convicted of murder while serving in a battlefield abroad.
Blackman was sentenced to life in prison and was removed from the Royal Marines. Later, his sentence was reduced. A big campaign started to get his conviction changed. In March 2017, his murder conviction was changed to manslaughter because of "diminished responsibility." This means his mental state at the time made him less responsible for his actions. Blackman was released from prison in April 2017, but he is still not part of the Marines.
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What Happened in Helmand?
The event took place in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during a British military operation. Alexander Blackman was part of a patrol from 42 Commando, Royal Marines. They found an Afghan fighter who had been badly wounded by a helicopter attack.
Blackman told his team to move the wounded man out of sight of a special camera system. This camera was watching the area from a balloon above a British base. Video evidence shown in court revealed parts of the patrol dragging the man and kicking him. Blackman then said something about breaking the Geneva Convention, which are rules for how soldiers should act in war.
Why Were Identities Kept Secret?
Protecting the Marines' Identities
At first, the names of the Marines involved in the trial were kept secret. This was because judges believed that if their names were known, they might become targets for terrorists. News organizations in the UK disagreed, arguing that the public had a right to know.
Later, in December 2013, a high court decided to reveal Alexander Blackman's name. The court also ruled that the names of Marines B and C would be revealed if they didn't appeal. They did not appeal, so their names were also made public. Marine B was named Corporal Christopher Glyn Watson, and Marine C was Marine Jack Alexander Hammond.
Why the Video Was Not Released
The court also decided not to release the full video footage of the incident to the public. They released some pictures and audio clips, but not the whole video. The court said that releasing the full video could be used to encourage extreme views and might put British soldiers at risk.
How Did People React?
Public and Military Reactions
The trial and its outcome received a lot of attention in the UK. Many people, including some military leaders, were shocked by Blackman's actions. A senior Royal Marine officer called it a "shocking and appalling mistake" that did not fit with the values of the Royal Marines.
However, there was also a lot of public support for Blackman. Many people created online groups and petitions asking for a lighter sentence or for him to be released. They felt he was a soldier who had been through a lot.
Support and Protests
When Blackman was sentenced to life in prison, some military leaders said that "murder is murder." But Blackman's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Chapman, wrote a letter saying that Blackman had a "momentary lapse of judgment" and was "not a bad man." Blackman himself said he was "devastated" and sorry for any harm caused to the Royal Marines.
In 2015, the Ministry of Defence stopped many serving soldiers from attending a rally to support Blackman. They called it a "political protest." However, the organizers said it was simply a show of support for a fellow Marine. An online petition asking for Blackman's release gathered over 100,000 signatures.
Images for kids
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The Law Courts building, where important legal decisions are made.
See also
- Killing of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif
