A Marine Drill Instructor of the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at South Carolina’s Parris Island was reportedly involved in two separate incidents involving abuse of Muslim recruits- and is facing a hearing as a result.
The unnamed Gunnery Sergeant is currently facing a hearing on Thursday “related to allegations associated with [the death of Marine recruit] Raheel Siddiqui, as well as the other allegations surrounding the recruit in the dryer,” according to Marine Corps Training and Education Command spokesman Captain Joshua Pena.
The hearing now comes nearly a year after the death of 20-year-old Siddiqui, who was suspected to have taken his own life by means of a 40-foot drop from a stairwell. However, a subsequent investigation was unable to determine whether the recruit was taking his own life or running from the drill instructor.
Prior to Siddiquis case, there was a separate incident where the DI reportedly put another Muslim recruit in a commercial dryer before turning the device on. During the dryer sequence, the Gunnery Sergeant would periodically stop the dryer cycle to insult the recruit’s religion or ask if he was involved in the 9/11 attacks.
According to Pena, a second DI -a sergeant- was implicated in the dryer incident as well.
“The sergeant’s charges are [only] related to allegations surrounding the recruit in the dryer,” Pena said.
According to the Marine Corps Times, four additional Marines have been charged with offenses under the Uniform Code of Military justice on varying charges.
As the proceedings drag on, the Siddiqui family is hoping for closure- and justice.
“This has been a very long and painful wait for the family,” the Siddiqui family attorney said. “But I assure you, Raheel’s voice and the truth did not die with him.”
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