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View Full Version : A sad day for Australia, Commandos charged with Manslaughter over Afghanistan killing



mickk
09-28-2010, 04:27 AM
To cut a long story short, fire received from building, building occupied by terry, family including childern in the building, this is known to terry but not to aussies. Several rounds fired into the building, fire continues, 2 grenades thrown in, firing ceases.

The press says

Canberra, Australia (AHN) - Three former Australian special operations soldiers have been charged in the deaths of five Afghan children during a nighttime raid in February 2009 inside a residential compound where a Taliban leader was believed to be hiding.

Australia’s director for military prosecutions, Brigadier Lyn McDade said that multiple charges of manslaughter, dangerous conduct, failing to comply with a lawful general order and prejudicial conduct will be filed against all three.

DEFENCE says
A day after the fight defence said the deaths occurred "as SOTG soldiers conducted clearance operations through a number of compounds".

"During the conduct of this operation the soldiers were fired upon by Taliban insurgents," it said.

"The SOTG engaged the insurgents, returning fire in accordance with their rules of engagement."

Now they say...

Three former Special Operations Task Group members will receive full support from the Australian Defence Force after they were charged by the Director of Military Prosecutions.

The development follows an investigation by the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service arising out of a compound clearance operation on 12 February 2009 in Afghanistan.

One soldier has been charged with failing to comply with a lawful general order and, in the alternative, prejudicial conduct. A second soldier has been charged with manslaughter and, in the alternative, dangerous conduct, and an additional charge of dangerous conduct. Charges against a third member, who is currently overseas travelling in a personal capacity, will be preferred when the individual returns to Australia.

The matters will be heard before one or more Service Tribunals that will be convened in due course. It is anticipated that the trial process will not commence until early 2011.

"Consistent with the presumption of innocence, these members will receive the full support of the Australian Defence Force," the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said.

The members will receive support services including but not limited to medical, psychological, legal, chaplaincy and welfare support.

"I give the members facing these charges a firm, personal undertaking that I will ensure that they are thoroughly supported throughout the legal process," the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, said.

Now the media is saying...

Thirty Australian soldiers were involved in the raid that culminated with the deaths of the children. Five soldiers were originally charged, but that number has been reduced to three "ex-commandos." The names of the accused have not been released.

McDade did not clarify when and why the accused were “former soldiers” or "ex-commandos," especially why they were participating in a military raid.

The raid was termed a “clearance operation” that involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected Taliban insurgent. During the battle grenades were released that resulted in the death of the five Afghan children, including two babies, and the injury of women.

In a statement, lawyers for the defendants declared that although the men deeply regretted that women and children were killed and injured, this was mainly due to the “callous and reckless act” of the suspected Taliban insurgents holed up inside the compound.

The trial is scheduled begin in early 2011 and is expected to be closely monitored in Afghanistan where, according to a United Nations report, there have 1,271 civilian deaths this year through June..

If you have read this far, all I can say is that this is a fucking joke. People, the Media, Governments all think war can be waged without deaths. I dont know about where you live, but in Australia, most politicians are around 60, never seen a war, only ever had one vietnam vet in parliament. The rest are born post 1970 and are even more bereft of the experience and tragedy of war.

We want to apply our righteous laws to people who would kill their son for a goat. Their idea of justice is beheading on the spot, not a trial for manslaughter. War happens, children die. Child or old age pensioner, same thing. This was not an atrocity, it was a sad result of an enemy combatant using civillians as shields.

If the lawyers and do gooders want justice for the war torn, for slaughtered children, try Africa and get back to me. Lemme know how you get on.

truffs1010
09-28-2010, 04:48 AM
as sad as it is for children and innocents to die, they are in a warzone and when the scumbag Terry uses them as shields what can be expected? these soldiers were fired upon, they were protecting themselves, in the course of protecting themselves children were killed. It is war, it is hell, these men should be nowhere near a courtroom. Not good to read this, especially the last line of the report.