The U.S. military disciplined 9 members of the armed forces on Monday in connection with incidents earlier this year involving the burning of Korans In Afghanistan and a video showing Marines urinating on dead Afghan fighters.
The New York Times reported that the punishment did not involve criminal charges or jail time. In all, 6 members of the Army received letters of reprimand for the burning. An investigation made public Monday said that the soldiers were not acting out of “malicious intent,” but did not follow proper procedures.
In the other incident, three marines who were seen on a video urinating on dead Taliban fighters received “nonjudicial punishments” that could include a reduction in rank and a forfeit of some pay, among other disciplinary actions.
Both incidents prompted outrage in Afghanistan at the time. In the case of the Koran burnings, riots broke out throughout the country.
Military officials argue that the discipline is not as light as it may sound. Letters of reprimand “effectively end most military careers,” according to The Times.
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