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[INTERNATIONAL] · United Kingdom, Afghanistan · 4 sources

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SAS soldiers refuse to answer Afghanistan war crimes inquiry questions

SAS Afghanistan inquiry war crimes allegations extrajudicial killings Special Air Service

A judicial inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the UK’s Special Air Service (SAS) in Afghanistan has faced significant resistance from elite soldiers. Lord Justice Charles Haddon-Cave reported that a high proportion of SAS personnel linked to deliberate detention operations have refused to answer questions, instead invoking their privilege against self-incrimination.

The inquiry, which investigates alleged extrajudicial killings between 2010 and 2013, is also examining claims of a cover-up and whether the Royal Military Police conducted adequate investigations. Former military police investigator Delme Williams testified that senior officers interfered with investigations, claiming that the course of probes like Operation Northmoor was “dictated” from above rather than following the evidence.

Further complications have arisen regarding documentation. The judge noted that 97 million records from the period under investigation were previously omitted from searches. The inquiry continues to look into allegations involving the deaths of dozens of Afghans in provinces such as Helmand.

Entities

Delme Williams · Lord Justice Charles Haddon-Cave · Ministry of Defence · Royal Military Police · Special Air Service

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Military police investigator Delme Williams testified that senior officers prevented his team from following evidence during Operation Northmoor. www.bbc.co.uk
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Allegations include the suspicious deaths of up to 80 Afghans during SAS operations. rt-english.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] A high proportion of SAS soldiers have refused to answer questions from the inquiry by invoking their privilege against self-incrimination. rt-english.com · de-rt.com · www.ghanamma.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The inquiry discovered that 97 million records from the period under investigation were omitted from earlier searches. rt-english.com · de-rt.com
  • [● 4 SOURCES] The inquiry is examining whether the Royal Military Police properly investigated alleged incidents or if a cover-up occurred. rt-english.com · de-rt.com · www.ghanamma.com · www.bbc.co.uk
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The inquiry is investigating allegations of extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan occurring between 2010 and 2013. rt-english.com · de-rt.com · www.ghanamma.com

Sources

Bestätigendes Schweigen? Britische Elitesoldaten verweigern Aussage in Kriegsverbrechen-Ermittlung [de-rt.com]
Most SAS personnel ‘refusing to answer’ questions from Afghanistan inquiry [www.ghanamma.com]
Afghanistan SAS inquiry: Investigator says team prevented from following evidence [www.bbc.co.uk]
UK SAS troops refuse to answer Afghan war crimes questions [rt-english.com]