Two US soldiers charged in new Iraq shooting case

BAGHDAD, June 25 (Reuters) Two US soldiers have been charged in connection with the shooting death of an unarmed Iraqi civilian, the US military said today, the latest case to come to light of alleged abuses by American troops.

Specialist Nathan B Lynn was charged with voluntary manslaughter for the shooting on February. 15. He was also charged with obstructing justice, along with Sergeant Milton Ortiz Jr, the military said in a statement.

The US military is investigating three other cases in which several US servicemen are suspected of killing civilians and detainees in Iraq, including the killing of 24 Iraqis by US Marines in the city of Haditha on November 19.

Twelve have been charged with premeditated murder, which can bring the death penalty under military law.

Lynn and Ortiz were charged with one count of obstructing justice for allegedly conspiring with another soldier who allegedly placed an AK-47 near the body of the mortally wounded man, the US military said.

Ortiz was also charged with one count of assault and one count of communicating a threat over a separate incident on March 8 when he allegedly placed an unloaded weapon against the head of an Iraqi male civilian and threatened to send him to prison, it said.

Both soldiers were transferred to a military base in Baghdad where they could have easier access to defence lawyers.

REUTERS SY VV1545