(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Lebanese-American marine who vanished in Iraq in 2004 has been sentenced to two years in prison for fleeing his post and moving to Lebanon.
Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, 34, was found guilty of deserting with intent to avoid hazardous duty and desertion with intent to remain away permanently, according to Marine Capt. Stewart Coles, a spokesman at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where the trial took place.
Hassoun was also found guilty of losing government property — a 9mm M9 pistol that authorities said he had when he vanished.
Hassoun was sentenced to two years in prison, a reduction in rank to private, loss of all pay and allowances, and an dishonorable discharge, Coles added.
The case began when Hassoun vanished from a base in Fallujah, Iraq in June 2004. Days later, he appeared blindfolded and with a sword pointed at his head in a photo allegedly taken by an extremist group.
He later appeared unharmed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, saying that he’d been kidnapped. But U.S. officials were suspicious and brought him back to Camp Lejeune where charges were considered.
After several months, Hassoun vanished again to “visit family in Lebanon”, according to his attorney, Haytham Faraj.
The Marine Corps charged Hassoun with desertion a second time and labeled him as a fugitive, prompting an arrest by Lebanese authorities, who later transferred him to American custody.
Hassoun, who was born in Lebanon, enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2002 and served as an Arabic translator.