Horrific details emerge from bombshell report into alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan finding 39 unlawful killings were 'NOT in the heat of battle' - as defence chief blasts selfish warrior culture
Australian soldiers stand accused of murdering 39 people in Afghanistan and treating prisoners with cruelty.
The damning findings were outlined in a major report into alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan made public on Thursday.
The inquiry uncovered scores of instances of unlawful killings and inhumane treatment of detainees.
Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell revealed 'none of the alleged unlawful killings were described as being in the heat of battle'.
One of killings was described in the report as 'possibly the most disgraceful sin in Australia's military history' but details were completely redacted.
'I can't speak to the particular circumstances. That is why it is redacted. But Justice Brereton does describe something that is utterly disgraceful. It is right that it needs legally to be redacted. In time, in the time of history to be written, it is shameful,' General Campbell said.
He apologised for the unlawful killings of prisoners, farmers and other civilians.
'To the people of Afghanistan on behalf of the Australian Defence Force I sincerely and unreservedly apologise for any wrongdoing by Australian soldiers,' he said.
'And to the people of Australia, I am sincerely sorry for any wrongdoing by members of the Australian Defence Force.'
He went on to outline how the 'self-centred warrior culture' had led to 'cutting corners, ignoring and bending rules'.
'Cutting corners, ignoring and bending rules was normalised. What also emerged was a toxic, competitiveness between the Special Air Service Regiment end of the second commando Regiment,' he said.
Since 2016, the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force has examined allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
Australian soldiers stand accused of murdering 39 people in Afghanistan and treating prisoners with cruelty
Over four years, Justice Paul Brereton interviewed more than 400 witnesses and examined tens of thousands of documents.
Justice Brereton found there was credible evidence of 23 incidents in which a total of 39 Afghan nationals were unlawfully killed.
Key findings from the report:
He identified another two instances where prisoners were treated cruelly by elite Australian troops.
A few of the Afghan nationals killed were not participating in hostilities, while the majority were prisoners of war.
Justice Brereton identified 25 current or former ADF personnel accused of perpetrating one or more war crimes.
The report covered the period from 2005 to 2016, but almost all of the incidents uncovered occurred between 2009 and 2013.
'None of these are incidents of disputable decisions made under pressure in the heat of battle,' the report said.
'The cases in which it has been found that there is credible information of a war crime are ones in which it was or should have been plain that the person killed was a non-combatant.'
Dozens more allegations investigated could not be substantiated.
Justice Brereton also found there was credible evidence some soldiers carried 'throw downs' such as weapons and military equipment to make it appear the person killed was a legitimate target.
As well, there was evidence junior soldiers were required by their patrol commanders to shoot a prisoner in a practice known as 'blooding' to achieve their first kill.
'Typically, the patrol commander would take a person under control and the junior member... would then be directed to kill the person under control,' the report found.
Lieutenant General Angus Campbell released the report on Thursday
Justice Brereton also found there was credible evidence some soldiers carried 'throw downs' such as weapons and military equipment to make it appear the person killed was a legitimate target
'Throwdowns’ - weapons, radios, or other equipment - would be placed with the body and a ‘cover story’ was created for the purposes of operational reporting and to deflect scrutiny.
The inquiry has recommended the chief of defence refer 36 matters to the Australian Federal Police for criminal investigation.
The matters relate to 23 incidents and involve 19 individuals.
Justice Brereton placed the greatest blame on patrol commanders, believing they were most responsible for inciting or directing subordinates to commit war crimes.
'It was at the patrol commander level that the criminal behaviour was conceived, committed, continued, and concealed, and overwhelmingly at that level that responsibility resides.'
The report recommended administrative action be taken against some serving ADF personnel where there is credible evidence of misconduct, but not enough for a criminal conviction
It also recommended Australia compensate the families of Afghan people unlawfully killed, without waiting for criminal prosecutions
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously announced a special investigator will pursue possible criminal prosecutions.
The position is yet to be filled.
The report recommended administrative action be taken against some serving ADF personnel where there is credible evidence of misconduct, but not enough for a criminal conviction.
It also recommended Australia compensate the families of Afghan people unlawfully killed, without waiting for criminal prosecutions.
'This will be an important step in rehabilitating Australia's international reputation, in particular with Afghanistan, and it is simply the right thing to do.'
Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell apologised for the unlawful killings of prisoners, farmers and other civilians
As well, the inquiry recommended various service medals be stripped away from some individuals and groups
As well, the inquiry recommended various service medals be stripped away from some individuals and groups.
'It has to be said that what this report discloses is disgraceful and a profound betrayal of the Australian Defence Force's professional standards and expectations,' the report said.
'We embarked on this inquiry with the hope that we would be able to report that the rumours of war crimes were without substance.
'None of us desired the outcome to which we have come. We are all diminished by it.'