British soldier faces 10 years in jail after being

[real6]

British soldier faces 10 years in jail after being arrested during anti-war demonstration

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1226829/Soldier-faces-10-years-jail-desertion-highlighting-great-wrongs-perpetrated-Afghanistan.html

A soldier facing charges of desertion for refusing to return to Afghanistan has been arrested and charged with five further offences after joining an anti-war demonstration.

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton led a protest in London last month against the continued presence of British troops in Afghanistan.

He was already facing a court martial but according to the Stop the War Coalition the new charges carry a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

The group's convener Lindsey German said last night : 'This is not about breach of military regulations. In the last few days a range of military personnel have been speaking in the media in defence of this appalling war. I doubt if any of them have been arrested.
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton is facing 10 years in prison for refusing to return to Afghanistan. He is pictured here at the 'Stop the War' demonstration in October

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton is facing 10 years in prison for refusing to return to Afghanistan. He is pictured here at the 'Stop the War' demonstration in October

'This is about the persecution of a soldier who believes in telling the truth in accordance with his conscience.

'He is saying what the majority of the population believes - that this war is unwinnable and immoral. The anti-war movement will be doing everything possible to get him released.'

Lance Corporal Glenton, 27, from the Royal Logistic Corps, addressed a rally of more than 5,000 anti-war protesters packed into London's Trafalgar Square in October.

He told the crowd he had witnessed sights during his time in Afghanistan that forced him to question the morality of his role.

The married soldier, from Norwich, told onlookers: 'I'm here today to make a stand beside you because I believe great wrongs have been perpetrated in Afghanistan.

'I cannot, in good conscience, be part of them. I'm bound by law and moral duty to try and stop them.

'I'm a soldier and I belong to the profession of arms. I expected to go to war but I also expected that the need to defend this country's interests would be legal and justifiable. I don't think this is too much to ask.

'It's now apparent that the conflict is neither of these and that's why I must make this stand.'
stop the war

Lance Corporal Glenton is facing five further charges for leading the above protest in London against the presence of British troops in Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence refused to comment when asked about the further charges.

But spokesman confirmed Lance Corporal Glenton is currently subject to disciplinary action. He said: 'I can confirm that disciplinary action against a serving soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps is currently in progress.

'As this matter is subject to court martial proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.'

The soldier, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is facing a court martial, adjourned to January, for alleged desertion after going absent without leave in 2007.

More...

* War hero, 94, vows to hand back medals to Brown after being denied winter fuel allowance because he moved home a day late
* British troops in Afghanistan start poignant Armistice Day commemorations
* Soldier who lost voice in Afghanistan mine blast speaks again - with donated speech synthesiser

He is charged with disobeying a lawful command. He joined the Army in 2004.

If convicted, he faces two years in prison.

Speaking during last month's rally, he said: 'The occupation in Afghanistan is at best dubious in terms of legality and morality.

'I can't be involved in it on that basis and, not only that, I am also bound to try and stop it, try and change things.

'That's the law, the occupation of a country like that, regime change, these things are all illegal.'

He said military personnel told him not to appear at the rally.

But despite the threat of prison, he said he was determined to speak out.

He said: 'People keep telling me I'm brave but I don't feel brave at all - I feel fairly terrified. It's not going to stop me, I'm going to keep going.

'I won't be silenced. I'll keep talking and doing what I think is right.

'I have to or I'll have to live with this forever if I don't.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1226829/Soldier-faces-10-years-jail-desertion-highlighting-great-wrongs-perpetrated-Afghanistan.html#ixzz0WYzbauTg

[signalnorth]

Now that is what you call a hero

[venividivici2311]

There was a thread about him a few weeks ago,or is this another soldier???

[loopy2222]

Go Joe :D

Stand up for what you believe in lad!!!

[elixirsoo]

Now that is what you call a hero
indeed

[cpfc12]

Good on him, he is a hero for standing up for what he belives in

[angel wings]

I respect soldiers like him. I respect anyone who stands up for themselves and not follow orders like sheep.

[pureheart]

Good lad. :)

How can we support him?

Is there a Facebook campaign?
How about Fear & Clothing making up some T-shirts?
Is there a petition anywhere?

[pureheart]

L/Cpl Glenton, who is facing a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan, made his comments before an anti-war demonstration through central London attended by an estimated crowd of 5,000 people.

L/Cpl Glenton, 27, from the Royal Logistic Corps, was joined by former colleagues, military families and anti-war protesters in the march, which called for the 9,000-strong British force to be brought home.

He issued a statement - at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park - before the march saying: "When I went to Afghanistan I was proud to serve the Army and to serve my country, but before long I realised the Government was using the Army for its own ends.

"It is distressing to disobey orders but when Britain follows America in continuing to wage war against one of the world's poorest countries I feel I have no choice.

"The Geneva Convention was launched after the Second World War and the Nazi extermination of six million Jews. It means no soldier can say I was just obeying orders.

"Politicians have abused the trust of the Army and the soldiers who serve. That is why I am compelled and proud to march for Stop The War Coalition today."

L/Cpl Glenton, from Norwich, who defied orders in order to go on the march with his wife Clare, led the demonstration through the city.

After the march ended, L/Cpl Glenton addressed the crowd. He said: "I'm here today to make a stand beside you because I believe great wrongs have been perpetrated in Afghanistan.

"I cannot, in good conscience, be part of them. I'm bound by law and moral duty to try and stop them. I'm a soldier and I belong to the profession of arms.

"I expected to go to war but I also expected that the need to defend this country's interests would be legal and justifiable. I don't think this is too much to ask. It's now apparent that the conflict is neither of these and that's why I must make this stand."

John Tipple, who is a member of L/Cpl Glenton's legal team and who was also on the march, said: "I am delighted to be here with someone who is showing so much courage. If the politicians showed a fraction of it, we would not be in this position.

"Joe believed he was going to liberate women, sort out warlords and sort out opium problems but, in reality, his job was to supply the weaponry for the frontline."

Mr Tipple added: "After he left his barracks, he was given a direct order from his commanding officer not to come on the march. He is disobeying a direct order and we expect he may get arrested again."

Having joined the Army in 2004, L/Cpl Glenton, went absent without leave in 2007 before handing himself in after two years and six days.

A total of 222 British troops have died since operations in Afghanistan began. The most recent serviceman to die was Corporal James Oakland, 26, of the Royal Military Police, who was killed on Thursday in an explosion while he was on foot patrol near Gereshk in Helmand Province.

* Almost half of the UK public believe that military victory in Afghanistan is impossible and significant majorities think British troops are not winning the war and should be withdrawn either immediately or within the next year, according to a new poll.

The YouGov survey for Channel 4 News uncovered a much more pessimistic attitude towards the conflict than in a similar survey in 2007, when 36 per cent said that victory was not possible.

Only six per cent of those taking part in the poll said that British troops were winning the war, compared with 36 per cent who said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible, and 48 per cent who said that victory was not possible.

[pureheart]

A soldier who faces a court martial after refusing to fight in Afghanistan is planning to call an expert on international law to argue that the war is illegal, a military court was told today.

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who last week wrote to Gordon Brown explaining why he will not fight, plans to deny the charge of desertion because he believes the conflict is unlawful.

Wearing combat fatigues, Glenton appeared before a judge advocate at the military court centre in Bulford camp, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, for a preliminary hearing.

Glenton spoke only to confirm his name, service number and rank but his counsel, Hugh O'Donoghue, indicated that the 27-year-old, who is now a member of the Stop the War Coalition, would deny desertion when his district court martial takes place later this year.

O'Donoghue said the soldier would be calling an expert on international law to argue against the legality of the operation in Afghanistan. O'Donoghue also said he wanted access to Glenton's medical records.

Glenton, from York, joined the army in 2004 but went absent without leave in 2007 after serving with the Royal Logistic Corps in Afghanistan.

He handed himself in after two years and six days' absence, during which he went to south-east Asia and Australia.

Glenton told the prime minister in his letter that the army mission would fail and troops should be withdrawn from the country.

He wrote: "It is my primary concern that the courage and tenacity of my fellow soldiers has become a tool of American foreign policy.

"I believe that when British military personnel submit themselves to the service of the nation and put their bodies into harm's way, the government that sends them into battle is obliged to ensure that the cause is just and right, ie for the protection of life and liberty.

"The war in Afghanistan is not reducing the terrorist risk, far from improving Afghan lives it is bringing death and devastation to their country.

"Britain has no business there. I do not believe that our cause in Afghanistan is just or right. I implore you, sir, to bring our troops home."

Glenton added that Afghans showed many of the same characteristics as British soldiers, such as "robustness, humour, utter determination and unwillingness to take a step backwards".

"However it is these qualities, on both sides, which I fear will continue to cause a state of attrition. These will only lead to more heartbreak within both our societies."

He told the Guardian last week: "I just couldn't see what we had given to the country. I felt ashamed."

The Stop the War Coalition has called Glenton's move a "very significant moment" in the campaign against the Afghanistan conflict.

Military prosecutor Gemma Sayer told the hearing Glenton could face a further charge, though she did not give details. She said the Royal Military Police would interview himthis afternoon in connection with this second matter.

Sayer said the prosecution was not prepared to accept a plea to any lesser charge, such as absence without leave. Other members of Glenton's regiment, some of whom are currently still serving in Afghanistan and in Kuwait, are to be called as witnesses.

If convicted, Glenton faces up to two years' jail.

After the 20-minute hearing he left without commenting and returned to an army base in Oxfordshire. A Ministry of Defence source said Glenton was back under the command of his commanding officer. It would be "business as usual" for him at least until his court martial.

A further preliminary hearing will be held on 4 September.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/03/british-army-alleged-deserter-court

[wildhorse]

they are clearly making an example out of this fine example of a man

he his one of the armies greats and they cant even see it

[always_rebel]

I want to sign a petition. Is there any?

[time_lord]

Now that is what you call a hero

Agreed. Wish there were more brave lads like him.

[pureheart]

I want to sign a petition. Is there any?

Found one here...

http://www.petitiononline.com/Glenton/petition.html

[drhemp]

A true British hero.

I would say to all young people today not to join the forces as those in government may well require/ force you to participate in illegal and immoral wars.

[wakeup2nwo]

Found one here...

http://www.petitiononline.com/Glenton/petition.html

Thanks for the link! unfortunately theres only 175 Signatures Total.. so come on people, spread this far and wide.. hes done allot for all of us.. the least we can do is spend an hour or two getting this petition spread around....

[freedom1st]

Thanks for the link! unfortunately theres only 175 Signatures Total.. so come on people, spread this far and wide.. hes done allot for all of us.. the least we can do is spend an hour or two getting this petition spread around....

I've just signed and yes, all should sign this petition. There's now 182 signatures.

[sicksoldier]

Signed
Still only 184 sigs, common people and sign it!

[pureheart]

Can the link be made into a sticky or something?

[boy better know]

Yes, a true hero. Respect to him.

He will have a very tough time in prison; you can be sure that the MOD will hire some of the thugs inside to beat him up.

[real6]

Found one here...

http://www.petitiononline.com/Glenton/petition.html

Done

[dude111]

Now that is what you call a heroThis is sad,someone standing up gets rear ended :(


Maybe now i understand why more soldiers DO NOT TRY TO ABANDON!!!

Quite sad........