Internet assisting US soldiers accused of war crimes [View All]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvgIHLZPo_D27IzsceWg-zzb3N4Q

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — United States soldiers facing trial for war crimes allegedly committed in Iraq are enlisting the power of the Internet to help defend themselves against prosecution.

The steady stream of investigations into the conduct of US forces in Iraqi cities like Haditha and Hamdania has been mirrored by the mushrooming of websites set up to aid soldiers involved in the cases.

In the past year around a dozen sites have been started by sympathetic military veterans who have expressed anger that troops are facing criminal prosecution for decisions taken in a war-zone.

Several of the sites, such as the Boston-based Military Combat Defense Fund (www.militarycombatdefensefund.com) have been set up to raise donations to help soldiers pay mounting legal fees.

"The only thing we want to do is get these kids lawyered up as soon as possible," says Patrick Barnes, a Vietnam veteran whose son has served three tours of duty in Iraq.