Afghanistan massacre suspect named as Sgt Robert Bales

A photo showing Sgt Robert Bales was removed from a military website when his name was released

The US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in a massacre that has undermined relations with Kabul has been named as Staff Sgt Robert Bales.

Senior US officials told the BBC the name of the suspect as he was heading back to the US to face charges.

He has now arrived at a military detention centre in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after being flown from Kuwait, the US Army said.

He will be held in solitary confinement pending charges, the Army added.

Sgt Bales' lawyer, John Henry Browne, said he had been injured twice while serving in Iraq.

Mr Browne also said the accused, aged 38, had witnessed his friend's leg blown off the day before the killings.

That incident has not been confirmed by the US Army. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17411009