Canadian Forces Officer Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Afghan Incident

A Canadian Forces officer has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of an unarmed Afghan man in Helmand Province in 2008. Captain Robert Semrau, a member of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, is accused of shooting the man with intent to kill on or about October 19, 2008. The investigation was conducted by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) and led to the charge being laid on January 2, 2009. Captain Semrau is currently in Military Police custody and will be transported back to Canada for a hearing before a military judge.

Key Takeaways:

Captain Robert Semrau, a Canadian Forces officer, has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of an unarmed Afghan man in Helmand Province in 2008.
The incident occurred on or about October 19, 2008, while Captain Semrau was serving as a member of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) conducted the investigation and laid the charge on January 2, 2009.
Captain Semrau is accused of shooting the man with intent to kill, and the charge is contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act and Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code.
The matter is now proceeding in accordance with the Code of Service Discipline, and another part of the investigation is still ongoing.
The CFNIS is an independent Military Police unit with a mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property, Departmental employees, and Canadian Forces personnel serving in Canada and abroad.

Statistics:

Date of incident: on or about October 19, 2008
Date of charge being laid: January 2, 2009
All relevant numerical data:

- Section 130 of the National Defence Act

- Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code

Sources:

Marketwire via COMTEX, January 2, 2009
Department of National Defence