War charge Muslim 'feared hell'

LAC Moshin Khan arrives for a hearing before a judge advocate

A Suffolk RAF reservist has told a military court he refused to take part in the Iraq war because he feared he would go to hell.

Leading Aircraftsman Mohsin Khan, 24, was sentenced to seven days' loss of privileges and nine days' loss of pay for going absent without leave from RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, in February and March.

LAC Khan, from Woodbridge, Suffolk, is now challenging that ruling and on Friday told a judge advocate hearing his appeal in Uxbridge that his faith made him think the war was "unjustified".

He told the hearing his religion only allowed him to fight in self defence.

Fear of 'hell'

And he said breaking the rules of the Koran would lead to him being sent to hell.

Flight Sergeant Tony Penfold told the court he managed to get hold of LAC Khan on the phone, the day after he went absent.

He said: "I tried to find out why he hadn't come back and he told me it was against his religion and he didn't want to fight against members of his own religion."

Flt Sgt Penfold said he told LAC Khan it would be "in his best interests" to return for duty and that he could discuss his religious concerns with padres at the base.

The case continues.