U.S. army says dead soldiers not linked to Iraqi rape

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military in Iraq said on Monday that three soldiers killed by kidnappers in June do not appear to have had any involvement in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family in the same area.

In an unusual move prompted by concern among the dead men's families over media reporting of the two events, the military said: "The criminal investigation into the crimes committed against the Iraqi family in Mahmudiya is still ongoing.

"Thus far, however, no evidence has been discovered implicating Babineau, Tucker or Menchaca in any criminal involvement with the Mahmudiya incident."

Specialist David Babineau and Privates First Class Thomas Tucker and Kristian Menchaca were killed in June near Mahmudiya, near Baghdad. U.S. officers said a member of the unit, during counseling, gave information that led to murder and rape charges against five other men from the 502nd Infantry Regiment.

Tucker and Menchaca were abducted after an attack on their isolated outpost in which Babineau was killed.

Read the rest at Reuters

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