The Canadian Forces formally charged on Monday a soldier in the shooting death of his comrade in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Matthew Wilcox faces one charge each of manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death, and negligent performance of duty.

The charges relate to the death of Cpl. Ronald Kevin Megeney, who died on March 6, 2007.

Megeney, 25, from Stellarton, N.S., was in his tent on the base at Kandahar Airfield when he was shot in the chest. Megeney's family had been told the soldier's death was an apparent accident and the result of friendly fire.

Wilcox was initially charged last October, but in accordance with military procedure, the charges were then referred to military prosecutions.

The Canadian Forces has said it is not unusual for soldiers to have weapons in their sleeping quarters, as soldiers are required to carry a weapon with them at all times on the base, but accidental discharges are rare.