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Marine Who Vanished in Iraq 10 Years Ago Found Guilty of Desertion

Sputnik International

A US Marine who disappeared in Iraq in 2004 was convicted of desertion charges for leaving his post in Iraq and fleeing to Lebanon. 23.02.2015, Sputnik International

2015-02-23T18:36+0000

2015-02-23T18:44+0000

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Marine Who Vanished in Iraq 10 Years Ago Found Guilty of Desertion

18:36 GMT 23.02.2015 (Updated: 18:44 GMT 23.02.2015)

© AP Photo / Staff Sgt. A.C. MinkCpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, right, walks with defense attorneys Maj. Phillip E. Stackhouse, left, and Capt. Brandon Bolling for the first day of the Article 32 pre-trial investigation, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at Camp LeJeune, N.C. Hassoun is charged with desertion after he disappeared from his unit in Iraq and later claimed to be kidnapped.

Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, right, walks with defense attorneys Maj. Phillip E. Stackhouse, left, and Capt. Brandon Bolling for the first day of the Article 32 pre-trial investigation, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at Camp LeJeune, N.C. Hassoun is charged with desertion after he disappeared from his unit in Iraq and later claimed to be kidnapped. - Sputnik International

A US Marine who disappeared in Iraq in 2004 was convicted of desertion charges for leaving his post in Iraq and fleeing to Lebanon.

The Judge, Marine Maj. Nicholas Martz, delivered his verdict on Monday in the bench trial of Cpl. Wassef Hassoun.

Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun makes a statement to the press outside Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, Virginia, in July 2004. - Sputnik International

Marine Goes to Trial a Decade After Vanishing in Iraq

9 February 2015, 21:45 GMT

Hassoun was also convicted of causing the loss of his service pistol. He was found not guilty of a theft charge related to his gun.

Prosecutors had argued the Marine had prepared to flee to Lebanon after threatening to leave his base in Fallujah in 2004. But defense attorneys claimed he was kidnapped by insurgents.

According to US Marines Spokesperson Capt. Stewart Coles, Hassoun faces up to 7 ½ years in prison, reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge.

Sentencing is expected later this week.