Iraqi convicted in U.S. soldiers' deaths

BAGHDAD, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A 29-year-old Iraqi militant was sentenced to death in Baghdad Tuesday for the alleged revenge killings of three U.S. soldiers.

However, the Iraqi court acquitted two co-defendants, The New York Times reported.

Ibrahim Karim al-Qaraguli, 29, was suspected of being the driver of one of the vehicles used in the June 14, 2006, attack on the soldiers and subsequent abduction.

Killed in the episode were Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, and Pfc. Thomas Tucker, 25, of the 1st Battalion 502nd Regiment of the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division.

Babineau died in the firefight when insurgents attacked their Humvee under a bridge near the Euphrates River. The other two soldiers were captured and tortured before being killed, and one was beheaded, the Times said.

The Mujahideen Shura Council, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said it was to avenge the rape of a 14-year old girl and subsequent killing of the girl, her parents and younger sister.

The three soldiers were in the same unit as six soldiers charged with the rape and murder.