US Marines' role in Iraqi civilian's death probed

WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) The U S military has launched a criminal investigation into the role of Marines in the death last month of an Iraqi civilian west of Baghdad, according to the Marines.

Maj Gen Richard Zilmer, who commands U S-led forces in western Iraq, asked the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to investigate the April 26 incident ''in which Marines allegedly killed an Iraqi civilian in the area of Hamandiyah,'' according to the statement yesterday.

Several troops from a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment suspected of involvement in the incident have been removed from operations and sent back to the United States pending the results of the criminal investigation, the statement said.

A preliminary investigation by the U S military ''found sufficient information existed to recommend a criminal investigation into the incident,'' the statement added.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is responsible for criminal probes involving Marines.

REUTERS DH RN0435