British Forces Involved in Afghan Detainee Execution, Secret Documents Reveal

Strategic Insights -

A British serviceman present at the scene of an Afghan detainee's execution on a British-controlled base in Helmand province in March was handing the Afghan soldier over to local authorities when the killing occurred. The handing over was revealed in an MoD training manual for troops deploying to Afghanistan. The manual was released as part of the Baha Mousa public inquiry into abuse of Iraqi prisoners. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that UK forces were in the vicinity during the execution, but they did not directly witness the event.

Key Takeaways:

  • A British-controlled patrol base in Musa Qala was the site of an Afghan detainee's execution by an Afghan soldier in March.
  • The incident was documented in a Ministry of Defence training manual for troops deploying to Afghanistan.
  • British troops handed the Afghan soldier over to local authorities after the execution, but it is unknown what happened to the soldier subsequently.
  • The incident is part of a broader pattern of concerns over the treatment of Afghan prisoners captured by British forces.
  • An anti-war activist, Maya Evans, recently won a partial victory in her high court challenge against Britain's policy of transferring Taliban suspects to the Afghan authorities.
  • The MoD has granted pounds 102,000 in compensation to the families of at least 35 Afghan civilians killed during Nato operations in Afghanistan.
  • Compensation claims relating to the deaths of another 17 Afghans are still under investigation.
  • A multimillion-pound compensation deal has been agreed with the families of crewmen who died in a Nimrod aircraft explosion over Afghanistan.

Statistics:

  • At least 35 Afghan civilians have been killed during Nato operations in Afghanistan, resulting in compensation payouts of pounds 102,000 to their families.
  • 17 Afghans have had compensation claims relating to their deaths pending since the date of release.
  • A pounds 150 million (approx.) settlement has been agreed with families of the crew involved in the Nimrod aircraft disaster.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Defence documents
  • Baha Mousa public inquiry
  • Ministry of Defence spokesman
  • Mail on Sunday
  • BBC