Israel indicts six of its soldiers

JERUSALEM - The Israeli army has issued indictments against six soldiers suspected of stealing money, jewelry, computer parts, and other items from Palestinians in the West Bank.



Palestinians had accused soldiers of looting. In response, the army said on April 25 that it was looking into the allegations and had arrested four soldiers. An army statement said such cases ''have been and will be dealt with harshly.'' It did not say what punishment the charges carry.

According to the indictments, the soldiers stole cash, jewelry, a gilded sword, pipes, cellphones, and computer parts in four incidents.

In one case, three soldiers at a roadblock near the West Bank town of Qalqilya stopped a Palestinian for an identity check on April 20.

They allegedly removed about 700 Israeli shekels (worth $146) from the Palestinian's wallet and distributed the money among themselves. The Palestinian later filed a complaint. When the soldiers' commander confronted them, they confessed, and turned in the money, which was returned to the Palestinian. The commander then pressed charges against the soldiers.