7 Polish soldiers detained on suspicion of violating international law in Afghanistan

Polish military police detained seven soldiers who served in the country's military mission in Afghanistan on suspicion of violating international law, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

In a statement released Tuesday, Polish military prosecutors said the seven soldiers were detained on suspicion of "violating international law and norms, especially the Hague and Geneva Conventions" while serving as part of the 1,200-strong Polish division of the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.

No further details were immediately available, but prosecutors said they intended to press charges, and would release more information Wednesday.

The Geneva Convention regulates the protection of civilians during wartime.

Polish Defense Ministry spokesman Jaroslaw Rybak said the soldiers were detained in connection with an Aug. 16 incident in eastern Afghanistan.

Poland's Defense Ministry reported at that time that Afghan civilians were killed and injured when Polish troops engaged in a firefight with militants after a Polish armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. The ministry has declined to release the number of civilians killed.

The Polish Defense Ministry says seven soldiers serving with the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan have been detained for the killing of civilians in the eastern part of the country.

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