Posted: 6.52pm Tuesday 10 November 2009
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This article should be read after: » Millions more turn against Gordon Brown's war
Army arrests anti-war soldier Joe Glenton
by Siân Ruddick
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton—a soldier who is refusing to fight in Afghanistan—was arrested and held on Monday of this week after the British army brought new charges against him.
The charges are connected to Joe speaking out against the war.
Joe will be held in custody until 18 November when his case will be reviewed.
The army arrested Joe, charged him with five new offences in front of his legal team, and then released him.
But when Joe’s legal team left the barracks, Joe was rearrested on two further charges and remanded in custody.
The new charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment, along with the threat of three to four years for desertion.
The new charges relate to Joe helping to lead the Stop the War demonstration on 24 October and speaking at the protest after being told this would be breaking orders.
Joe’s legal caseworker John Tipple told Socialist Worker, “They’re trying to use draconian laws of ‘disobeying lawful command’ to keep Joe quiet. But this isn’t going to happen.”
Army top brass are trying scare soldiers into silence with the threat of prison sentences. But this will not change public opinion that this brutal war must end.
The following should be read alongside this article:
» Millions more turn against Gordon Brown's war
» Eyewitness from Kabul—disillusionment is growing
» Protest called at arrest of Joe Glenton, the soldier who has spoken out against Afghan war
© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.
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