Marine Cleared

The US Marine Corps has ruled that no charges will be filed against a Marine for the fatal shooting of a wounded and unarmed Iraqi in a Fallujah mosque last November. Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel TV Johnson says that after a five-month investigation, the Marine Corps determined that the unnamed Marine Corporal fired in self-defence and will not face a court martial. "The commanding general of the First Marine Division determined that the action of the Marine involved in the incident was pretty much consistent with the established rules of engagement and the law of armed conflict," Lt Col Johnson told CBS Radio. The decision was based partly on the fact that Marines had been warned insurgents were feigning death and booby-trapping bodies and that the corporal apparently feared for his life when he fired the shots. The Marine was seen in blurry images on the dramatic videotape that was shared with other news organisations. Second Marine remains under investigation for shooting another unarmed insurgent in the mosque. The Iraqi was one of five wounded left in the mosque after the Marines fought their way into the formerly rebel-held city of Fallujah.The video captures the Marine saying he thought the wounded insurgent was 'faking dead'. The Marines attacked the mosque after they said insurgents had been using it as cover to fire on them