Former U.S. soldier can face death penalty for fighting in SyriaApril 9, 2013 - 15:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A former U.S. soldier who allegedly fought Syrian government forces with a group linked to al-Qaeda could face the death penalty, prosecutors have said, according to BBC News. They told a court that Eric Harroun, 30, could face execution if his actions are found to have caused a death. During interviews with the FBI, Harroun allegedly said he had shot 10 people in Syria, but was not sure if he had killed anyone. He was denied bail at the April 8 hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. Harroun, who has been charged with using a weapon outside the U.S., allegedly fought in Syria with the al-Nusra Front. The group wanted Harroun, who served in the army from 2000-03, to act as their spokesman, but he declined to accept the role, prosecutors added. Defense lawyers said the al-Nusra Front shares the U.S. government's opinion that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad must go. "It is extremely unusual for the U.S. to charge a person who is fighting in a manner that is aligned with U.S. interests," said public defender Geremy Kamens. According to a criminal complaint, Harroun is accused of crossing into Syria in January 2013 and fighting alongside members of Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front) against Assad's forces. He allegedly fought as part of a group using rocket-propelled grenades, but is not charged with providing material support to a terror group. Harroun was medically discharged from the Army in 2003 after a car accident and lived in Phoenix, Arizona. He never served overseas, according to an Army spokesman. In March, the FBI spoke to the former soldier in three voluntary interviews at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul. Officials say he told them he wanted to fight with the Free Syrian Army against the Assad regime and allegedly confirmed he had been fighting with al-Nusra. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |