UK special forces could face prosecution as Afghanistan evidence referred to police
Summary
Evidence suggesting serious crimes by UK special forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013 has been passed to military police for possible prosecution. The investigation was prompted by an inquiry into allegations of unlawful killings and cover-ups by the British Army's Special Air Service.Key Facts
- The evidence relates to detention operations carried out by UK special forces in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013.
- The SAS Inquiry found the evidence and referred it to the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU), a military police team dealing with serious crimes.
- Potential offences include serious crimes such as murder or manslaughter under the Armed Forces Act.
- The DSCU has paused any formal criminal investigations until the inquiry is finished.
- The inquiry was set up in 2022 after BBC Panorama revealed claims that the SAS executed handcuffed civilians and children.
- Many inquiry hearings are closed to the public and involve protected witnesses worried about safety.
- A senior British military officer involved in the inquiry won the right to judicially review the inquiry’s process, arguing it was unfair to exclude legal teams from evidence hearings.
- The Ministry of Defence said criminal investigations should wait until the inquiry concludes.
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