LONDON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- British soldiers were arrested for allegedly violating the rules of engagement in the death of an Afghan insurgent, the Ministry of Defense said.
Seven members of the British military were arrested in connection with the death of an insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011. The British Ministry of Defense said it was investigating claims by one of their colleagues that the insurgent was killed in violation of the rules of engagement, The Guardian newspaper reports.
The seven military servicemen were arrested by military police Thursday. The British Ministry of Defense, in a statement Friday, said "these arrests demonstrate the determination of the department and the armed forces to ensure U.K. personnel act in accordance with their rules of engagement and our standards."
The incident is said to have occurred last year in Helmand province between April and September. Charles Heyman, a former soldier who serves as the editor of Armed Forces of the United Kingdom told The Daily Telegraph the incident was likely something that "happened in the heat of a firefight."
The British Ministry of Defense said it would be "inappropriate" to offer specifics related to the incident. No civilians were involved in the confrontation.
