CAMPAIGNERS against the imprisonment of five British servicemen took to the streets of Ellesmere Port.
On Saturday, November 10, organiser Anne Walker and Royal British Legion Riders congregated outside Ellesmere Port Civic Hall in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of five Royal Marines who were charged with the murder of an Afghan insurgent.
They were released from custody last month back to their unit, but with restrictions on their movements.
The charges relate to an incident in Afghanistan when 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand province.
All five are charged with the murder of an Afghan national on or about September 15 2011. A plea hearing is scheduled for December 10.
The marines were arrested by the Royal Military Police after video footage was found on a serviceman’s laptop by police in the UK following an unrelated arrest.
The clip appears to show members of the patrol standing around a Taliban fighter as he lay injured discussing whether to administer first aid, but the film is said to cut out before anything happens.
It is believed to be the first time UK servicemen have been arrested and charged with such an offence during the conflict.
The MoD said the arrests demonstrated the Armed Forces’ determination to ensure servicemen “act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards.”
