Investigations into a Michigan Marine recruit’s suicide reveal he may have been hazed, abused, and possibly targeted for being a Muslim.
Raheel Siddiqui was a young recruit who died in March, just two weeks after arriving at boot camp in South Carolina.
Three different military investigations found “allegations of recurrent physical and verbal abuse … [and] anomalies and inconsistencies in the policies and procedures responding to suicidal ideation or statements.
One drill sergeant reportedly had a history of abusing Muslim recruits.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, who pushed for these investigations, says she's expecting charges, and possibly criminal convictions.
"We are probably going to see that occur,” she says. “And I think the military is very focused on holding those accountable, who need to be held accountable."
While boot camp for marines is always supposed to be tough, Dingell says, “we need to ensure that any young person going into the military … [is] not going to be targeted because of religion or race."
Twenty people are facing possible “military or administrative” charges in this case, according to a statement from the Marine Corps.
