MADRID, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A Madrid judge Wednesday issued arrest warrants for three U.S. military personnel in connection with the death in Baghdad of a Spanish jopurnalist in 2003.
Judge Santiago Pedraz said he wanted U.S.Army Lt.Col. Shawn Gibson, Capt. Philip Wolford, and Lt.Col.Philip de Camp placed under arrest "to ensure their presence at the proceedings initiated by the Spanish authorities, given the lack of cooperation of the American authorities during the investigation of the incident."
On 8 April 2003, a U.S. tank fired an artillery round at the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad, killing Spanish television journalist Jose Couso, and Ukrainian cameraman Taras Protosyuk.
Asked to comment on the arrest warrants, Pentagon spokesman U.S. Lt.Col. Barry E. Venable told United Press International Wednesday, "This is a legal matter that will be handled through appropriate channels. U.S. Central Command fully investigated the incident and determined that the U.S. service members acted appropriately during that combat action."
According to press reports of the incident, the tank had fired on the hotel after snipers had been spotted on the roof.
"The Department of Defense has cooperated previously with the Spanish Government, including by providing information concerning the incident and resulting investigation," Venable said.
