British Army Soldier Charged

The soldier who allegedly shot dead a Fijian soldier in Iraq has been charged with manslaughter.

BBC reports that the British Ministry of Defense said Rifleman Aaron Kendrick has been charged over the death of 23-year-old Rifleman Edward Vakabua after an investigation.

The incident took place at the British Army's Basra Palace base when Kendrick is alleged to have shot Vakabua with a gun he did not believe was loaded while Vakabua was sleeping on July 6th last year. Kendrick is not in custody and is due to appear for a plea before a court martial at a date to be set soon.

The Defense Ministry described Vakabua as a quiet, shy and of pleasant character while his platoon commander, Captain Will Peltor said Vakabua was a proud son of Fiji whose death has hurt all of this colleagues deeply.