U.S. Soldier Acquitted In Afghan Detainee's Beating

9 September 2005 -- A U.S. military jury has acquitted a U.S. Army reserve soldier of charges in connection with the beating of an Afghan detainee who later died.

Sergeant Darin Broady was accused of aggravated assault, maltreatment, and making a false official statement.

The jury at Fort Bliss, Texas, acquitted him yesterday after a witness who earlier this week testified that he was present during the beating said she couldn't recall him hitting the man known as Habibullah, who later died.

Another U.S. soldier accused in the beating of the Afghan in 2002 was acquitted by a military jury on 7 September.

(AP)