Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080511-06
May 11, 2008

Civilian contractor to be tried by court-martial
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, has referred the charge against Alaa “Alex” Mohammad Ali to a general court-martial.   
 
The charge against Mr. Ali is aggravated assault stemming from the Feb. 23 stabbing of another contractor at a combat outpost near Hit, Iraq.
 
This is the first time a civilian will be tried by court-martial under a 2006 amendment to the Uniform Code of Military Justice – Section 552 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2007 (October 17, 2006). 
 
The amendment states that civilian contractors working for the U.S. government can be punished for violations of the UCMJ.  
 
After a pretrial investigation into the allegation, the investigating officer, Lt. Col. Charles E. Febus, recommended that the charge be referred to a general court-martial.
 
Mr. Ali has been in confinement at Camp Victory since Feb. 29, 2008, when he was accused of stabbing a fellow translator four times in the chest. He is presumed to be innocent unless and until he is proved guilty.
 
Mr. Ali is being afforded all the same rights, protections and privileges servicemembers receive in military court, including the right to counsel, right to speedy trial, protection against self-incrimination and presumption of innocence.  Mr. Ali is being represented by military defense counsel.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT: 
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