US soldier accused of 'aiding the enemy' in Iraq

A US Army lieutenant colonel has been charged with nine offences, including aiding the enemy, the US military announced in Iraq today.

Lt. Col. William Steele was accused of providing “aid to the enemy” by providing an unmonitored cell phone to detainees, a US statement in Baghdad said.

The other charges included unauthorised possession of classified information; fraternising with the daughter of a detainee; maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an interpreter; storing classified information in his quarters, as well as possessing pornographic material, the statement added.

The offences were allegedly committed between October 2005 and last February.

No further details were released and there was no word on whether a court martial date had been set.