Brief
SAS personnel largely refuse to answer inquiry into Afghanistan killings
Lord Justice Haddon‑Cave says the majority of Special Air Service members have declined to provide evidence to the statutory inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Lord Justice Haddon‑Cave, who is leading a statutory inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan, said most Special Air Service (SAS) personnel approached have refused to answer any questions. The judge explained that rule‑9 requests – written notices for information – were sent to operators linked to deliberate detention operations (DDOs) in Helmand province between 2010 and 2011.
According to the Guardian, the inquiry is examining claims that more than 50 summary killings were carried out by SAS soldiers, as well as allegations of a cover‑up and inadequate investigations by the Royal Military Police. A high‑court case brought by the law firm Leigh Day on behalf of a man named Saifullah alleges his father, two brothers and a cousin were killed during an SAS raid in February 2011.
Haddon‑Cave noted that many SAS personnel have indicated they will rely on privilege against self‑incrimination, refusing to answer the rule‑9 requests. He added that the inquiry has obtained about 10,000 high‑resolution photographs taken during the DDOs, which were not part of earlier Royal Military Police investigations.
The judge said the inquiry will also seek evidence from Afghan families who lost loved ones and has heard extensive witness testimony about concerns raised by both UK special forces personnel and other individuals regarding the conduct of detention operations.
Key facts
- Most SAS personnel approached have refused to answer rule‑9 requests (theguardian.com)
- The inquiry investigates allegations of over 50 summary killings by SAS in Afghanistan (theguardian.com)
- About 10,000 high‑resolution photos from the detention operations have been obtained (theguardian.com)
- A high‑court case by Leigh Day alleges a family was killed in an SAS raid in February 2011 (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Most SAS personnel ‘refusing to answer’ questions from Afghanistan inquiry”
