An inquiry commissioned by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is investigating allegations of unlawful activity by British special forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. The independent probe will focus on claims of illegal actions by UK armed forces during the war-torn period. It will also examine allegations that the Royal Military Police’s (RMP) investigations into reported unlawful killings by special forces were inadequate.
The inquiry’s chairman, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, revealed during a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice that he had recently visited the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Ben Wallace confirmed that the allegations relate to the conduct of UK special forces and stated that this confirmation was made in “exceptional circumstances.” He emphasized the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to balance transparency with national security considerations.
The probe will scrutinize two RMP investigations known as Operation Northmoor and Operation Cestro. Operation Northmoor, a £10 million investigation launched in 2014, examined allegations of executions by special forces, including those involving children, but no charges were brought. Under Operation Cestro, three soldiers were referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, but none were prosecuted.
The inquiry will investigate allegations of numerous killings, potential cover-ups of illegal activity, and inadequate investigations by the RMP. It was initiated following legal challenges to the government by Leigh Day solicitors on behalf of the Saifullah and Noorzai families, as well as media investigations.
During the hearing, arguments were presented by the MoD and the RMP for restriction orders on some of the evidence submitted to the inquiry. The inquiry aims to strike a balance between public disclosure and the protection of sensitive information in the interest of national security.
