Five Royal Marines charged with murder over the death of an insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Five Royal Marines have been charged with murder over the death of an insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011.

Seven marines were arrested on Thursday by the Royal Military police. Two more were later arrested, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Four have been released without charge pending further inquiries, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The incident took place in Helmand province last year, but it is thought investigators only began an inquiry in recent weeks.

An MoD spokesman said: "The Royal Military police has referred the cases of the remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority.

"Following direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings."

The soldiers, believed to be members of 3 Commando Brigade, were arrested in connection with an incident described as "an engagement with an insurgent" in which no civilians were involved.

During a six-month tour of duty in 2010, which lasted from April to October, seven servicemen from the brigade were killed in action, all from 42 Commando. The tour, Operation Herrick 14, was the unit's fourth and saw the force score notable successes in capturing explosives from the Taliban.

Rules of engagement, largely derived from the Geneva conventions, dictate the circumstances under which British troops are allowed to open fire., whether to prevent an attack by the enemy or in direct contact.

The arrests are thought to be the first time UK servicemen have been held on suspicion of such charges during the conflict in Afghanistan.

A Territorial Army soldier was investigated by military officials after shooting dead a suspected Taliban bomber in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand in the summer of 2010.

Senior officers believed the dead man may have been an innocent farmer. After an 18-month inquiry no charges were brought against Fusilier Duane Knott, who said he had no regrets over his action.