Spain's Supreme Court has closed its criminal investigation into the 2003 killing of a journalist by tank fire in Iraq and canceled arrest warrants for three U.S. soldiers.

Justice Santiago Pedraz ruled Tuesday that the case cannot continue because Spain's government last year placed limitations on cases tried under its principle of universal justice that allows prosecution of incidents outside of the country.

Spanish cameraman Jose Couso died when a shell crashed into a Baghdad hotel. Also killed was Ukrainian reporter Taras Protsyuk.

A U.S. review found the use of force was justified after the soldiers responded "to what they said was hostile fire."

The universal justice principle was used by former judge Baltasar Garzon in attempts to prosecute former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

AP