From NOVA TV in The Netherlands:
How do we keep on the right side of Big Brother in Washington, DC?So does Josanne herself, interviewed in the program.In our {Dutch] foreign policy this question will play a role.
However, it should not in a question of criminal law.
In September 2006, 18 year old Josanne is raped in Arnhem.
The suspect is a United States soldier of the 82th Airborne Division, called “Tito” G.
Dutch prosecutors have made a deal with US authorities that this soldier will stand trial in the United States.
However, Josanne’s lawyer is afraid there will be no conviction.
He wants the United States to extradite the soldier to The Netherlands; and that he should stand trial in The Netherlands.
She told that 25 year old “Tito” had told her he had killed in Iraq and might do it again to her.
She felt extremely scared.
Today, she feels the rape destroyed her life.
She used to be happy and outgoing.
Now, she does not dare to walk outside the house on her own any more.
The lawyer said that in the US, people want to send the suspect to Iraq again, which would preclude him being punished.
Execution for Iraqi women threatens: here.
I believe the soldier should be sent to the Netherlands to stand trial, how else will the victim testify, how will the community where the victim lives believe that justice has been carried out, regardless of the status of Forces agreements with NATO countries, this alleged crime deserves trial in the area where it occurred, not in the US by court martial, where the Army may chose to deploy the soldier back to Iraq and hold the court martial upon his return, by then witnesses forget, he may get wounded and a jury would feel sorry for him, or if killed in the war zone the victim is denied justice, as a disabled veteran, I feel he needs to be returned to Europe for trial immediately, US soldiers do not get a free get out of jail card because of combat duty.
Comment by Testvet — February 14, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
Hi Testvet, thank you for this comment from you as a disabled veteran. I agree, and hope justice will be done.
Comment by Administrator — February 14, 2007 @ 10:15 pm