US soldiers in Afghanistan charged with murdering civilians & keeping body parts as trophies.

More sickening crimes exposed on the part of US forces in Afghanistan. Full story at link.

Twelve US soldiers have been charged with crimes in Afghanistan ranging from murdering civilians to keeping body parts as war trophies.

The soldiers from the 5th Stryker Brigade, based in Washington State, were deployed to Kandahar province a year ago, and the murders occurred between January and March, according to charges by army prosecutors made public this week.

"Allegations like this are . . . very serious," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told a news briefing."Clearly, even if these allegations are proved to be untrue, it is unhelpful. It does not help the perceptions of our forces around the world." (Morrell is a master of understatement)

An army spokeswoman said four of the soldiers have been charged for keeping body parts, which, beyond finger bones and a skull, include leg bones and a human tooth. It was unclear where the remains had come from based on the charge sheets.