Afghans Demand Public Trial Of US Soldier

The Afghan parliament has demanded a public trial of a US soldier who allegedly killed 16 civilians, as the Taliban vows revenge for the deaths.

"We seriously demand and expect that the government of the United States punish the culprits and try them in a public trial before the people of Afghanistan," the lower house of parliament said in statement.

Meanwhile in a statement on their website, Taliban militants said they would "take revenge from the invaders and the savage murderers for every single martyr".

It said: "A large number from amongst the victims are innocent children, women and the elderly, martyred by the American barbarians who mercilessly robbed them of their precious lives and drenched their hands with their innocent blood."

The condemnations come after the American soldier allegedly broke into three homes near a military base in southern Afghanistan before dawn on Sunday.

According to the New York Times, 11 of the 16 victims shot dead were in one home and included four girls under the age of six. Read More