US Army Preparing Executions Of American Military For 1st Time In Half Century - Reports

MOSCOW, June 7 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The United States (US) Army is preparing to carry out the death sentences of four soldiers, should US President Donald Trump issue the appropriate order, Sputnik/RIA NOVOSTI reported, citing US media.

This would potentially mark the first such precedent in more than half a century, ABC reported, citing an internal US Army document.

The plan, codenamed "Operation Resolute Justice," was distributed for internal use in February and pertains to preparations for the execution of four convicted military prisoners at a facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, where civilian prisoners have previously been executed, the broadcaster reported on Saturday.

Under the plan, several army units have been instructed to ensure the executions are carried out "no later than 150 days from the date of presidential approval of the death sentences."

The prisoners facing execution have been convicted of murder and rape.

The last execution of an American serviceman in the US took place in 1961, when soldier John Bennett was executed after being convicted of the rape and attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in Austria.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI