Representative Allen West (R-FL) has long been an advocate for the “Leavenworth 10,” American troops imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth for actions taken during the heat of battle in the War on Terror.

For example, while serving in Iraq, 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna of the Army Rangers was escorting a known al-Qaeda terror operative named Ali Mansur home, following an Army Intelligence order to release him from custody. Lt. Behenna, who believed Mansur had been involved in an attack that killed two members of his platoon, decided to interrogate the al-Qaeda man during this journey. During the interrogation, Behenna threatened Mansur with a pistol. Mansur made a play for the gun, and Behenna shot him.

The American soldier was convicted of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone, and sentenced to 25 years in prison, later reduced to 15 years by a judicial order and a military clemency board. The sentence was based, in part, on the notion that since Behenna’s interrogation of Mansur was unauthorized, his right to employ deadly force in self-defense was suspended. Some experts in the complex art of “battlefield forensics” questioned Behenna’s account of the shooting, although others have spoken in support of him. Several appeals have been filed, with the most recent appeal still under consideration.

Friday, May 18 is Michael Behenna’s 29th birthday. It is the fourth birthday he has spent in prison.

Rep. West himself was discharged from the Army, where he held the rank of lieutenant colonel, for discharging his firearm near a prisoner, during an interrogation that West credits with helping to shut down deadly sniper attacks from Saddam Hussein loyalists against his unit. For this, he is routinely described as a “war criminal” by left-wing extremists.

Who cares about the soldiers

Guy belongs in prison, that's a war crime.

Terrorist killer, George Bush?

Representative Allen West (R-FL) has long been an advocate for the “Leavenworth 10,” American troops imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth for actions taken during the heat of battle in the War on Terror.

For example, while serving in Iraq, 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna of the Army Rangers was escorting a known al-Qaeda terror operative named Ali Mansur home, following an Army Intelligence order to release him from custody. Lt. Behenna, who believed Mansur had been involved in an attack that killed two members of his platoon, decided to interrogate the al-Qaeda man during this journey. During the interrogation, Behenna threatened Mansur with a pistol. Mansur made a play for the gun, and Behenna shot him.

The American soldier was convicted of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone, and sentenced to 25 years in prison, later reduced to 15 years by a judicial order and a military clemency board. The sentence was based, in part, on the notion that since Behenna’s interrogation of Mansur was unauthorized, his right to employ deadly force in self-defense was suspended. Some experts in the complex art of “battlefield forensics” questioned Behenna’s account of the shooting, although others have spoken in support of him. Several appeals have been filed, with the most recent appeal still under consideration.

Friday, May 18 is Michael Behenna’s 29th birthday. It is the fourth birthday he has spent in prison.

Rep. West himself was discharged from the Army, where he held the rank of lieutenant colonel, for discharging his firearm near a prisoner, during an interrogation that West credits with helping to shut down deadly sniper attacks from Saddam Hussein loyalists against his unit. For this, he is routinely described as a “war criminal” by left-wing extremists.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=51612