Probe into war crimes in disarray

THE probe into alleged war crimes by ADF Special Forces in Afghanistan is in disarray with the Australian Federal Police casting doubt on its ability to find witnesses or operate under the Taliban regime.

In its submission to an inquiry into Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan over 20 years, the AFP has formally conceded any inroads made in that country – including training and mentoring thousands of Afghan police – were now all but undone after Kabul’s fall to the Taliban.

The demise of the local police force has had a direct impact on the AFP’s last brief to investigate allegations of war crimes by Australia’s soldiers. The risk of sending any of its officers to make any incountry probe was simply too great, let alone attempting to approach potential witnesses.

“The AFP is not engaging with Taliban-controlled Afghanistan,” the AFP concluded bluntly.

The AFP recognised its responsibility to look into the alleged Special Forces behaviour between 2005 and 2016 as dictated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, but admits it is now a much tougher task.

“The security situation in Afghanistan may affect the ongoing investigation of war crimes allegedly perpetrated by ADF personnel in that obtaining evidence and accessing potential witnesses residing there is likely to be more difficult,” it stated.

“Any future engagement in Afghanistan would require an assessment of the security situation and other relevant considerations at the time.”

However, the Office of Special Investigator and the AFP probe is continuing.

The probe is looking into 39 alleged unlawful killings, including 23 murders “by or at the direction of members of the Special Operations Task Force Group”.