By Dan Modlin
Fort Bragg, North Carolina – The soldier charged with a grenade attack against other
U-S soldiers in Kuwait has entered a "not guilty" plea.
Defense attorneys representing Sgt. Hasan Akbar entered
the plea on his behalf at Fort Bragg, North Carolina this week.
The defense team representing Akbar has also been granted
a continuance in the case. During a pre-trial hearing, the judge
to the case scheduled a December 2nd hearing to rule on
pending motions. Judge Col. Stephen Henley also accepted
Akbar's choice to have an enlisted panel for trial. At least
one-third of such a panel must be comprised of enlisted
soldiers.
Akbar is accused in the March 22nd, 2003 grenade incident at
Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait. Two U-S military personnel were
killed and fourteen others were injured in the attack. Akbar was
assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at the time of the incident.