Former soldier Soldier F has entered a not guilty plea for the killings of two men during the Bloody Sunday incident in Londonderry in 1972. He faces charges of murdering James Wray and William McKinney, as well as five counts of attempted murder. During his arraignment at Belfast crown court, Soldier F pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.
Soldier F sat behind a blue curtain in court to protect his identity, as his defence team argued for anonymity due to concerns for his safety. Despite a defence application to have the case dismissed, the judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.
The prosecution claims that Soldier F was part of a group of paratroopers who opened fire on unarmed civilians in Derry, with the intention to kill. The judge granted the defence’s request for anonymity, stating that Soldier F could be at risk of being targeted by dissident republicans if his identity was revealed.
The Bloody Sunday incident, in which 13 civil rights protesters were killed by British soldiers, remains a controversial and tragic event in Northern Ireland’s history. The trial of Soldier F is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families.
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