Australian Commandos killed civillians

[creampie]

Australian commandos have lashed out the military prosecutor's decision to level a charge of manslaughter over the killing of six civilians during a botched night-time raid in Afghanistan.

As foreshadowed in the Herald, three commandos will face a charges over the deaths of four children and two adults in a compound. It is believed to be the first time Australian troops have been charged with killing civilians in a combat situation.

The Herald reported in early June that a reservist commando and his section commander were likely to be charged, along with their commanding officer, a lieutenant-colonel.


The reservist will be charged with manslaughter or dangerous conduct and the section leader with failing to comply with a lawful general order or prejudicial conduct. A third man, believed to be the lieutenant-colonel, is overseas and will be charged on his return.

Two of the soldiers released a statement yesterday saying they were ''deeply disappointed'' by the decision of the Director of Military Prosecutions, Brigadier Lyn McDade, to prosecute.

The soldiers said they were sure that when the circumstances of the incident became public, people would understand why they acted as they did.

''Words will never adequately express our regret that women and children were killed and injured during the incident on 12 February, 2009. These were people we were risking our lives to protect,'' said the soldiers, identified as A and B.

''However, it should not be forgotten that the casualties were ultimately caused by the callous and reckless act of an insurgent who chose to repeatedly fire upon us at extreme close range from within a room he knew contained women and children.

''This forced us to make split-second decisions, under fire, which almost certainly saved the lives of our fellow Australian and Afghan soldiers.''

It is understood that the Chief of Army, Ken Gillespie, wrote to Brigadier McDade recently expressing his concern at the prospect of charges. Soldiers have also said there is widespread anger at the treatment of the commandos, and a belief that they will never be convicted.

An Australian Defence Association spokesman, Neil James, said yesterday that it was in the commandos' interests for the charges to be heard at courts martial. ''It's not only fairer for the Diggers, it's better for the reputation of the army and of Australia,'' he said.

The family of the six people killed have said that Australian troops burst into their compound in the early hours of the morning and attacked using machine-guns and grenades.

They accused the Australians - from 1 Commando Regiment, which includes many reservists - of shooting without identifying targets and then admitting they were in the wrong compound.

The soldiers say they exchanged fire for an extended time with an Afghan man, who was killed.

Those close to the soldiers are adamant that grenades were necessary because the soldiers were under fire and the shots ceased after only a second grenade was thrown.


http://www.smh.com.au/world/anger-as-co ... 15u3o.html