German military authorities have suspended two soldiers in connection with a series of disturbing photos showing servicemen posing with human skulls in Afghanistan.
Defense Minister Josef Jung announced the suspensions Friday in Berlin.
The scandal broke Wednesday when the newspaper Bild printed several pictures reportedly taken in 2003, including one of a German soldier posing with a skull in a sexual manner.
RTL television on Thursday broadcast photographs of one soldier kissing a skull while another soldier displays a skull on the hood of a military vehicle. The photos aired by RTL were reportedly taken a year later.
The photos have scandalized much of Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the pictures disgusting and unforgivable.
The defense minister says the army has identified at least six of the soldiers involved in the photos, and has promised to punish them.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
