Muslim appeals over war charge

Honington deployed about 600 people in support of the war

A Muslim RAF reservist disciplined for refusing to fight in the Iraq war on religious grounds is appealing against the ruling.

Moshin Khan, 24, was called up for duty earlier this year.

He was later arrested and charged with going absent without leave from his base at RAF Honington in Suffolk.

The reservist was expected to appeal on the grounds that his faith forbids him from fighting other Muslims.

Mr Khan reported for some pre-deployment training after being called up but later went into hiding, a RAF spokeswoman said.

He was arrested by police and charged under the Air Force Act of 1955.

Disciplinary action for going absent without leave would normally involve seven days' restrictions and nine days' forfeiture of pay, the spokeswoman added.

Mr Khan's appeal will be heard at an open court hearing before a judge advocate at RAF Uxbridge, west London.