Seven Colchester soldiers are to face court martial over the alleged murder of an Iraqi civilian.

The Army Prosecuting Board has directed the men - all from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment should be tried by court martial.

They will be charged for a joint offence of murder and a second joint charge of violent disorder.

The matter relates to the death of a man in May 2003 following an incident at a roadside in Al U'Zayra in southern Iraq. The dead man was Nadhem Abdullah.

In a written statement, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith named three of the men to stand trial as Corporal Scott Evans, Private William Nerney and Daniel Harding, now a civilian.

Lord Goldsmith said the other four would be named once they have been informed of the charges against them.

No date has yet been set for the court martial or a preliminary hearing.

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Published Friday, February 4, 2005

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