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May 22, 2009

Spanish Judge Reinstates Charges Against US Troops in Couso Killing
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In Spain, charges have been reinstated against three US soldiers in the
killing of the Jose Couso. A Spanish journalist, Couso died when US
troops shelled Baghdad’s Palestine Hotel in April 2003. Ukrainian
cameraman Taras Protsyuk also died in the attack. On Thursday, a Spanish
judge revived the case against Sgt. Shawn Gibson, Capt. Philip Wolford
and Lt. Col. Philip De Camp over what he called new evidence. Initial
charges were dropped after Spain’s National Court dismissed the case.
Jose Couso’s brother, Javier Couso, welcomed the reinstatement.

Javier Couso: “The success of what’s happening today is thanks to a
joint effort, not only of the justice system, but of the civil testament
in our country. This case was very important here. Jose gave a face to
the victims in the Iraq war. It made many very indignant, and we all saw
it. It was an attack against the press.”

The judge, Santiago Pedraz, says the new evidence includes eyewitness
testimony contradicting US claims the tank that attacked the Palestine
Hotel came under fire. One year ago, former Army Sergeant Adrienne Kinne
told Democracy Now! she saw the Palestine Hotel on a military target
list and said she frequently intercepted calls from journalists staying
there.



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