Army Officer To Be Court Martialed For Refusing To Redeploy

Russell McSpadden - All Headline News News Writer
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005466456

Seattle, WA (AHN) -Ehren Watada, a first 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. army, will stand before a military court for refusing to redeploy to Iraq, officials of the Army said Thursday.

Watada, a Hawaii native, is charged with missing troop movement and conduct unbecoming of an officer.

Watada, who has called the war in Iraq illegal, failed to redeploy from Fort Lewis in Washington for Iraq on June 22 of this year.

The army officer had previously attempted to resign from the military over his objections to the war but the army refused the motion.

At a peace rally in Seattle last August, Lt. Watada called on other soldiers in the U.S. military to refuse any participation in the war in Iraq.

Prosecutors in a previous hearing showed footage of the August speech, prompting the Army to charge Watada with conduct unbecoming of an officer.

According to Army officials, Watada could face up to six years confinement and dismissal from the military.

The date of the trial is yet to be set.