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![\"Lance_Corporal_Joe_Glenton_468x286\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.psyched.be\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/Lance_Corporal_Joe_Glenton_468x286.jpg?resize=468%2C286\" "\\"Lance_Corporal_Joe_Glenton_468x286\\"")
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\nThis is about the persecution of a soldier who believes in telling the truth in accordance with his conscience.<\/p>\n
\n A soldier facing charges of desertion for refusing to return to Afghanistan has been arrested and charged with five further offences after joining an anti-war demonstration.<\/p>\n
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton led a protest in London last month against the continued presence of British troops in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He was already facing a court martial but according to the Stop the War Coalition the new charges carry a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
The group’s convener Lindsey German said last night : ‘This is not about breach of military regulations. In the last few days a range of military personnel have been speaking in the media in defence of this appalling war. I doubt if any of them have been arrested.
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\nThis is about the persecution of a soldier who believes in telling the truth in accordance with his conscience.<\/p>\n
‘He is saying what the majority of the population believes – that this war is unwinnable and immoral. The anti-war movement will be doing everything possible to get him released.’<\/p>\n
Lance Corporal Glenton, 27, from the Royal Logistic Corps, addressed a rally of more than 5,000 anti-war protesters packed into London’s Trafalgar Square in October.<\/p>\n
He told the crowd he had witnessed sights during his time in Afghanistan that forced him to question the morality of his role.<\/p>\n
The married soldier, from Norwich, told onlookers: ‘I’m here today to make a stand beside you because I believe great wrongs have been perpetrated in Afghanistan.
\n![\"POLITICS](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.psyched.be\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/Glenton_stop_war_british_troops_468x286.jpg?resize=468%2C286\" "\\"POLITICS")
\n‘I cannot, in good conscience, be part of them. I’m bound by law and moral duty to try and stop them.<\/p>\n
‘I’m a soldier and I belong to the profession of arms. I expected to go to war but I also expected that the need to defend this country’s interests would be legal and justifiable. I don’t think this is too much to ask.<\/p>\n
‘It’s now apparent that the conflict is neither of these and that’s why I must make this stand.’
\n The Ministry of Defence refused to comment when asked about the further charges.<\/p>\n
But spokesman confirmed Lance Corporal Glenton is currently subject to disciplinary action. He said: ‘I can confirm that disciplinary action against a serving soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps is currently in progress.<\/p>\n
‘As this matter is subject to court martial proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.’<\/p>\n
The soldier, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is facing a court martial, adjourned to January, for alleged desertion after going absent without leave in 2007.<\/p>\n
He is charged with disobeying a lawful command. He joined the Army in 2004.<\/p>\n
If convicted, he faces two years in prison.<\/p>\n
Speaking during last month’s rally, he said: ‘The occupation in Afghanistan is at best dubious in terms of legality and morality.<\/p>\n
‘I can’t be involved in it on that basis and, not only that, I am also bound to try and stop it, try and change things.<\/p>\n
‘That’s the law, the occupation of a country like that, regime change, these things are all illegal.’<\/p>\n
He said military personnel told him not to appear at the rally.<\/p>\n
But despite the threat of prison, he said he was determined to speak out.<\/p>\n
He said: ‘People keep telling me I’m brave but I don’t feel brave at all – I feel fairly terrified. It’s not going to stop me, I’m going to keep going.<\/p>\n
‘I won’t be silenced. I’ll keep talking and doing what I think is right.<\/p>\n
‘I have to or I’ll have to live with this forever if I don’t.’\n<\/p>\n