Two Czech soldiers face charges for dereliction of duty

Two Czech soldiers serving at the Basra military base in southern Iraq face charges for failing to perform their guard duties properly. One of the soldiers allowed a vehicle into the base without checking it, while the other abandoned his post in order to take a ride on a borrowed motorcycle. The Czech Defense Ministry says it is planning to expel both soldiers from the service on the grounds that by their irresponsible behaviour they threatened the lives of hundreds of others. According to martial law, dereliction of duty carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.