posted by Jennifer Hlad on Jan 22
Two Afghan witnesses who claim they were injured by Marine Corps fire testified today through a translator via a video teleconference from an American base in Jalalabad.
Nangyli appeared with his brother, a police officer who did not witness the shootings, and Nasurtullah, the police officer’s son. Nasurtullah had to be carried into the frame and sat in a wheelchair during the testimony, but did not speak.
Nangyli testified he was driving on March 4, and was transporting Nasurtullah and six strangers in his van.
Nangyli said he did not see or hear the explosion because the vehicle was about three kilometers away at the time of the blast. But as they neared the site, the Marines in what he described as a three-vehicle convoy motioned for them to stop and pull over, Nangyli said.
Nangyli said he pulled over directly behind a bus. About 30 seconds later, he said, the Marines began shooting.
“They were shooting almost to everyone,” he said through the translator.
Nangyli and Nasurtullah were both injured, he said, but no one else in the van was hurt. Nangyli said he was hit in the leg, while Nasurtullah was hit in the neck.
Nangyli said he tried to get out of the van and a passenger said that the young man was hurt “very bad.” He later testified that he saw three Marines walking on the street, and when he saw the convoy drive past he jumped into a small ditch.
The convoy started moving and “they were still shooting to everyone,” the translator relayed. One of the passengers began driving the van and they took Nasurtullah to the hospital.
Nangyli said he saw “maybe more than 50″ people wounded and soem vehicles damaged. He also saw many injured people at the hospital. He said he later heard there were 37 wounded and 20 dead.
When questioned by Col. O’Rourke, Nangyli said the front window of his van had one bullet hole in it. He said he believed the same bullet hit him and Nasurtullah.
After the testimony, Nangyli’s brother said he forgives the Marines and that the entire incident was “unfortunate.” He then asked if the Marines could help him get his son to the U.S. for treatment.
“I do not want any financial compensation,” he said, just medical help for his son.