8 Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan have been charged in the death of a 19 year-old Chinese-American soldier, Private Danny Chen. Apparently ,Chen was bullied and taunted by other soldiers over his race and heritage.

Chen's body was found in a tower in Afghanistan after shooting himself, said the Army and NATO said on Wednesday.

1st Lieutenant Daniel Schwartz, Chen's platoon leader, was amongst the soldiers charged in his death. He was charged with dereliction of duty. Others involved face charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault and negligent homicide.

The case is huge in Chen's hometown of New York where his mother gave a heartfelt press conference calling for justice for her son's death. Meanwhile, Asian-American activists criticize the Army and its toleration of this behavior.

"Whether suicide or homicide, those responsible for mistreating Danny caused his death. They must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for the killing of Danny Chen," said Elizabeth OuYang, president of the New York chapter of the OCA, which represents Asian-Americans.

The eight men charged with Chen's death are being held in a secret location for their own security.

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