WASHINGTON (AFP) - A former army private was indicted on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse of an Iraqi girl and the killing of three members of her family, authorities said.

Steven Green, 21, could face the death penalty if convicted of the charges handed down by a grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky.

Green was one of five US soldiers who are alleged to have broken into a house near the Iraqi town of Mamudiyah on March 12, and raped a 14-year-old girl, then killed her and set fire to her body.

They allegedly killed the girl's mother, father, and 6-year-old sister who were in another room.

The charges against Green include premeditated murder; murder in perpetration of aggravated sexual abuse; aggravated sexual abuse on a person under the age of 16; conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated sexual abuse; the use of firearms while committing violent crimes; and obstruction of justice.

"The potential statutory penalties for conviction of these offenses ranges from a term of years to life in prison to death," the Justice Department said.

Green served with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq but was dishonorably discharged in May with a "personality disorder."

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