'No evidence' of Koran descecration by Americans
There is no evidence that American soldiers desecrated the Koran during a raid on an Afghan home, the US military said today.
American soldiers allegedly raided a home on Saturday morning, arresting a deputy provincial governor and three others.
Villagers alleged that soldiers ripped, knifed and burned a Koran during the raid – allegations that sparked an angry demonstration.
Angry villagers in the eastern province of Kunar met the governor, provincial leaders and US military commanders over the issue yesterday.
Two Afghan officials were assigned to investigate the allegations, and a US commander at yesterday’s meeting said the military would punish anyone who had defaced the holy book.
But Major Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the US-led coalition, which oversees special forces soldiers who usually carry out night-time raids, said today that the allegations had been investigated and were found to be baseless.
He said: “We looked into it. There was no desecration of the Koran or any religious symbol by US forces. Had a soldier desecrated it, we would take action.”
Elders told the US commander at yesterday’s meeting of Afghan leaders that US soldiers should tell local officials before searching a house, a complaint frequently voiced by Afghans.
He also said US officials should tell Afghan leaders when they arrest someone.
