A soldier who faces charges for desertion after refusing to return to Afghanistan has been arrested and charged with five more offences.
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton of the Royal Logistic Corps is accused of leading an anti-war demonstration and has been charged with failing to obey a lawful order and other disciplinary offences.
It is alleged that he led the demonstration in London on October 24 and that he spoke to the media in defiance of orders. The new charges carry a maximum of ten years in prison in addition to the sentence of up to four years that he could be given if found guilty of desertion.
Lindsey German, convener of the Stop the War Coalition, said: “This is not about a breach of military regulations. This is about the persecution of a soldier who believes in telling the truth in accordance with his conscience.”
“He is saying what the majority of the population believe — that this war is unwinnable and immoral.”