TORONTO - As he uneasily awaits sentencing for “disgraceful behaviour” in the shooting death of a wounded Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan in 2008, Capt. Robert Semrau has for the first time expressed his feelings on the case.
In an e-mail to QMI Agency, he states clearly he hopes he can continue to serve his country in the army, and is both surprised and grateful for the support he has received from all parts of Canada — and certainly from both serving and retired soldiers everywhere.
Although found “not guilty” of murdering the critically wounded Taliban fighter who ambushed the patrol he was mentoring, Semrau knows the court martial judge, Lt.-Col. Jean-Guy Perron, will determine his fate on Monday, in Gatineau, Que., when he imposes a sentence that could be five years in jail, or one that will enable him to continue soldiering.
As for the Afghanistan mission, Semrau is positive: “I’ve always maintained that if called upon, I’d go back in a heartbeat! And not just to stay out of jail.
“That’s the job, that’s what I’ve signed up for, and if the country calls, off I go,” the e-mail read.
This is the first time since he was charged that Semrau has spoken out.
Retired Maj.-Gen. Lewis MacKenzie, with more field command than most, has noted that Semrau’s “judgment call” in the heat of battle, was “appropriate.”
MacKenzie hopes Semrau is allowed to remain in the army.
It’s hard to see who benefits if Semrau is sent to jail, or is forced to leave the army.
