[R-G] 7 Polish soldiers detained on suspicion of violating international law in Afghanistan

[Anthony Fenton]

7 Polish soldiers detained on suspicion of violating international  
law in Afghanistan
The Associated Press

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/13/europe/EU-GEN-Poland- 
Afghanistan.php

WARSAW, Poland: Polish military police detained seven soldiers who  
served in the country's military mission in Afghanistan on suspicion  
of violating international law, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

In a statement released Tuesday, Polish military prosecutors said the  
seven soldiers were detained on suspicion of "violating international  
law and norms, especially the Hague and Geneva Conventions" while  
serving as part of the 1,200-strong Polish division of the NATO-led  
mission in Afghanistan.

No further details were immediately available, but prosecutors said  
they intended to press charges, and would release more information  
Wednesday.

The Geneva Convention regulates the protection of civilians during  
wartime.

Polish Defense Ministry spokesman Jaroslaw Rybak said the soldiers  
were detained in connection with an Aug. 16 incident in eastern  
Afghanistan.
Today in Europe
Coalition shaken by German resignation
Report describes abuses in Serbian state mental institutions
Strike halts trains in France

Poland's Defense Ministry reported at that time that Afghan civilians  
were killed and injured when Polish troops engaged in a firefight  
with militants after a Polish armored vehicle was hit by a roadside  
bomb. The ministry has declined to release the number of civilians  
killed.

NATO reported, however, that five Afghan civilians were killed and  
three injured during an Aug. 16 firefight in eastern Afghanistan.