Gurkhas face Belize murder charge

The Gurkhas had been on a jungle warfare training exercise in Belize

Three Gurkha soldiers are to face a court martial over the death of a teenage boy in Belize, the army has confirmed.

David Zabaneh, 14, died after he was caught up in an incident involving up to 25 troops outside a nightclub in Belize City two years ago.

The three British Army Gurkhas were being held at Colchester prison but are currently back with their unit in Kent.

They will travel to Belize for the hearing, where they will each face charges of murder and violent disorder, a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said.

The British Army has jurisdiction over the case, which is expected to take place early in September.

Forensic evidence

It will be held at British Army Training headquarters, at Price Barracks, near the city, and is expected to last a week.

The incident happened in May 2001 while the Gurkhas were on a jungle warfare training exercise in Belize.

Six Gurkhas were initially charged last June in connection with the teenager's death.

The MoD spokeswoman said charges against three of the men had now been dropped.

"Forensic evidence was taken from everybody at the scene and it was deemed there was insufficient evidence for all six to be charged," she said.

She said the men involved were with their unit, the 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone, while they prepared to travel to Belize.

Gurkhas, who are recruited from Nepal, have fought for the British Army for nearly 200 years.