Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Marines in Death of Michigan Muslim Recruit
A federal judge in Detroit is dismissing a lawsuit against the U-S Marine Corps that charged the military was negligent in the death of a Muslim recruit from Michigan.
In 2016 Taylor native Raheel Siddiqui fell to his death from a third story building…after he was injured during a Marine boot camp training exercise and allegedly was denied medical treatment.
The Marines ruled the Muslim recruit’s death a suicide.
But the corps later dishonorably discharged and incarcerated Siddiqui’s drill instructor, who had a history of abusing Muslims.
Siddiqui’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the Marines, arguing the corps had acted negligently by failing to protect their son.
Now a federal judge says despite “serious reservations” he is dismissing the suit.
The judge writes that active-duty personnel, even trainees, cannot sue the military in civil court.
He notes the Marines are taking steps to fight religious discrimination but adds the military’s antiquated rules regarding financial compensation offer only a fraction of what most modern-day wrongful death awards provide.
