A US Marine is to face court martial for murder over allegations that an unarmed Iraqi prisoner was shot dead during fighting in Fallujah in 2004, the military said Wednesday.
A statement released by the US Marine Corps from their California base at Camp Pendleton said Sergeant Jermaine Nelson would be tried later this year for charges of unpremeditated murder and dereliction of duty.
The decision to send Nelson to court martial was made after a pre-trial hearing to weigh evidence against the soldier earlier this year.
Nelson is one of three soldiers facing charges in the case, which occurred during fierce combat operations in Fallujah on November 9, 2004.
Another Marine sergeant from Nelson's unit, Ryan Weemer, was charged with murder and dereliction of duty in March.
A third soldier, Jose Nazario, is being tried in civilian courts in California on manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting deaths of two Iraqi prisoners. Nazario, who denies the charges, is awaiting trial.
While few details about the Fallujah case have been revealed by the military, media reports said Marines shot dead several Iraqi prisoners during the battle for the city.
Newspaper reports have said as many as eight insurgents were shot dead after being captured. Under military law, the killing of a captured enemy combatant who does not pose a threat is treated as murder.
