MOD statement on arrest of seven Royal Marines
The MOD has released the following statement on the arrest of seven Royal Marines on suspicion of murder.
The Royal Military Police have arrested seven Royal Marines on suspicion of murder.
The arrests relate to an incident in Afghanistan in 2011. The incident followed an engagement with an insurgent; there were no civilians involved.
The investigation will now be taken forward and dealt with by the Service justice system.
These arrests demonstrate the determination of the Department and the Armed Forces to ensure UK personnel act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards.
It would be inappropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is underway.
**The following update was issued on Sunday 14 October:
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The Royal Military Police have arrested two further Royal Marines on suspicion of murder in relation to an incident alleged to have taken place in Afghanistan in 2011, taking the total number of arrests to nine.
Four Royal Marines have since been released without charge pending further enquiries.
The RMP have referred the cases of the remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA). Following direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings.
It would be inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing investigation.