Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a special investigator would be appointed to further pursue allegations of Australian war crimes committed in Afghanistan by members of its special forces.
“Given the likely allegations of serious and possibly criminal misconduct, the matters raised in the inquiry must be assessed, investigated and, where allegations are substantiated, prosecuted in court,” he said.
“The Office of the Special Investigator will address the criminal matters made in the Inspector General’s report and investigate those allegations, gather evidence and, whether appropriate, refer briefs to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.”
The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) said the establishment of the Office of the Special Investigator should be made permanent.
Principal lawyer and director of the ACIJ, Rawan Arraf said the “establishment of the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) is a welcome and pivotal step.”
Read The Guardian Report
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