http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4150479.stm
A US marine charged with desertion from his unit in Iraq has again been declared a deserter after he failed to return from leave to his US base.

"The decision was taken after Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun, who was born in Lebanon, failed to show up at his North Carolina base, a spokesman there said.

After disappearing in Iraq last year, Cpr Hassoun mysteriously reappeared in Lebanon, saying he had been abducted.

There were indications that he went to Lebanon again, the spokesman said. "

"Cpl Hassoun reappeared in Lebanon 19 days after he went missing - and when he was returned to the United States, he maintained that he had been abducted.

But after an investigation, he faced prospect of a court martial after the US Marines charged him with desertion, our correspondent says.

In the new twist, Cpl Hassoun failed to report for duty on Tuesday following an authorised holiday, said Maj Matt Morgan, a marine spokesman at Camp Jejeune-based 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. "

"He added that Cpl Hassoun was still missing on Wednesday afternoon, and "his command officially declared him a deserter and issued authorisation for civil authorities to apprehend Hassoun and return him to military control"."


Lemme guess, he got 'abducted' again in the states, through Canada, back to Lebanon...  

Lemme guess, he got 'abducted' again in the states, through Canada, back to Lebanon...

You took the words right out of my mouth. I think that statement pretty much sums things up. This guy is in BIG trouble this time.

TW

This guy shouldn't have been ever allowed to go on any kind of leave if he is facing such serious charges and instead been held in military jail without bail until his court-marshall/trial comes up. I hope he doesn't give the anti-American terrorists any support and if he is found to have done so, then he should be shot upon his being located.

I'm a big believer in "innocent until proven guilty," but this man is beginning to try my patience.

Why the hell was he allowed leave while facing charges of desertion! Amazing. He should have been in the stockade under guard . . . a desertion charge is "pretty serious" (please, read the understatement here), it's not like he missed his Morning Formation or punched out his Sergeant. . . . the guy is charge with desertion!  

Well, now that he's back in Lebanon, maybe we can get some of our a-net friends there to spot him and report him  



[Edited 2005-01-06 17:10:23]

How is a guy who is accused of desertion manage not to be considered a flight risk?

Isn't being a flight risk intrinsic to being accused of desertion?

OMG, here we go again, from SLC where Hassoun lives, I think innocent until proven guilty has flown right out the window à la Scott Peterson. I'm not a big fan of the war, but you just don't do what he did.

Deserter? Maybe he's really a traitor. Maybe he's a double agent. Maybe he's working for "the other side." Maybe he should be killed the way his buddies do to others...Hood 'em up and gnaw his head off with a butter knife.