Murder-accused soldier faces forced shaving

AP

'SHAVE OR BE SHAVED': A file photo of US Major Nidal Hasan at the San Antonio to Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas following the shooting spree. He now has a beard and is in contempt of court.

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A judge says the US Army psychiatrist and Muslim charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage will be forcibly shaved if he doesn't remove his beard on his own.

Major Nidal Hasan appeared in court overnight NZ time sporting a beard, which violates army regulations. Hasan says his beard is an expression of his faith.

Colonel Gregory Gross found Hasan in contempt of court for keeping the beard and fined him US$1000 (NZ$1273). Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug says Gross gave Hasan the choice to shave or be forcibly shaved sometime before his court-martial begins August 20.

Hasan is charged with killing 13 people in the 2009 attack.

- AP