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In a new report, the Australian military has investigated the country’s operation in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. Defense chief General Angus Campbell calls the result “disgraceful”.
The investigation identifies 19 current and former soldiers who should be investigated for crimes after killing 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.
Among other things, new soldiers who had not previously died in combat at the request of officers have shot prisoners. Weapons and radio equipment were then placed over the victims to make it appear that the deaths had occurred during combat.
– Some soldiers took justice into their own hands. Rules were broken, stories boiled, prisoners were lied to and murdered, Angus Campbell told a news conference.
The massacre must have started in 2009, and most of the cases occurred in 2012 and 2013, according to AP. The reporter has taken four years to compile. The investigation interviewed more than 400 witnesses and examined thousands of documents and photographs.
The author of the report believes that a destructive culture within the special forces is to blame for the events. The soldiers who tried to speak must have felt discouraged and distrustful, according to Angus Campbell.
Following the investigation, the country’s defense force now apologizes to the Afghan people. The defense also believes that Australia should pay damages to the families of the victims.
The country’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, has announced that a special prosecutor will handle charges against the soldiers so as not to overload police resources. The investigation likely also means that several soldiers are deprived of medals for their efforts.
