EXCLUSIVE: SAS faces war crimes investigation over claims its troops executed dozens of Taliban suspects while in custody in Afghanistan
- Troops said they were aware of troops executing Taliban suspects in 2010, 2011
- It is alleged that it was covered up by commanders and it cannot be denied
- Ministry of Defense always said suspicious deaths were properly investigated
- But more evidence claims that the SAS has hindered the investigation of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee
The Special Air Service faces a war crimes probe over claims his troops executed dozens of people Taliban suspects in custody.
Troops have told the Daily Mail they were aware of the practice in 2010 and 2011, which was reportedly covered up by commanders.
Today alarm grew that the shoot-to-kill tactics of the so-called SAS death squads could no longer be denied.
The Defense Ministry has always insisted that the suspicious deaths of Afghans captured by the elite forces were properly investigated.
But there are increasing indications that the SAS has hindered the investigation by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
Swoop: SAS holds suspects at gunpoint in Afghanistan
One SAS soldier said the truth will “turn everything upside down.” Another admitted illegal killings were “part of our job.”
A BBC documentary to air tonight will also allege that the SAS repeatedly shot and killed detainees and unarmed men in suspicious circumstances. Panorama will further allege that a former SAS commander, who later became a general, has not revealed crucial evidence for a murder investigation.
An pending lawsuit is also forcing defense officials to release previously unseen documents.
SAS members said they were effectively paralyzed by the Afghan justice system. Usually in 2010-2011 they had to observe an Afghan brandishing a weapon before they could open fire. One soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, explained: ‘Illegal killings were part of our job and yes, the tactics were horrific. But arrest them [Taliban suspects] was pretty pointless as they would only be held for a few days before being released. So for me the end justifies the means.’
Pictured: Image of soldiers in Afghanistan in June 2010
One SAS soldier said the truth will “turn everything upside down.” Another admitted illegal killings were ‘part of our job’ (stock image)
But other troops said they are struggling to justify deliberately shooting unnamed Afghans followed by placing a weapon next to their corpses.
The gun-dropping tactic was used to suggest that these individuals posed a threat at the time of their death.
Another said: ‘It came down to one or two loose guns’ [in the unit]†
SAS sources also suggested that residual guilt over these practices caused post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism among those who participated.
In March, a Supreme Court judge reprimanded the Defense Department for repeated delays in releasing documents.
Mr Justice Swift reprimanded government officials for not respecting timetables and suggested that the Defense Department had a ‘devil may care’ attitude towards cooperation with the justice system. Last night, the Defense Department said it was open to considering “any new evidence” without impediment, despite officials insisting that previous independent investigations into allegations “had found insufficient evidence to prosecute.”