Published • loading... • Updated
Ex-investigator admits depriving war crimes investigation of potentially valuable information
The inquiry says the images may help test claims that SAS troops killed unarmed civilians and planted weapons during raids that left 17 dead.
- Photos released by the inquiry on Tuesday show individuals killed during SAS operations in Afghanistan, described as "essential evidence" depicting people lying in bed with shots to the head, contradicting official accounts that Taliban insurgents opened fire first.
- BBC Panorama has investigated allegations the SAS executed unarmed civilians for more than eight years. Established in 2022, the public inquiry examines claims troops murdered civilians during night raids in Helmand province between 2010 and 2013, planting weapons to cover up killings.
- Across two operations in Helmand, seventeen people were killed. Lead barrister Oliver Glasgow KC noted the photos show "traumatic injuries to the head or face," with some appearing to show a dead body with his head on a pillow, suggesting they were "shot when asleep."
- Col John Harvey, who led the military police's murder probe, agreed the photos "didn't look right." One investigator told the BBC "you can see why we were concerned," noting bullet marks on walls appeared to undermine the special forces' version of events.
- Expert forensic analysis of the photographs may determine if the individuals were "shot when asleep." This analysis could clarify whether alleged war crimes were thoroughly investigated as the inquiry continues examining evidence from the 2010–2013 period.
Insights by Ground AI
4 Articles
4 Articles
Sky News UKReposted by 
Great Yorkshire Radio
Great Yorkshire RadioEx-investigator admits depriving war crimes investigation of potentially valuable information
Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey told the Afghanistan inquiry that, even though some images "cried out for examination", he had not had them sent to experts.
·United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources4
Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
100% Center
C 100%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
