Second SAS member tells Ben Roberts-Smith trial he saw Australian soldier shoot unarmed man in Afghanistan
GuardianNov 20, 2021
UK: Five SAS Soldiers Under Investigation Over Alleged War Crimes in Syria
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The Facts
Five serving members of the Special Air Service, an elite unit belonging to UK Special Forces, are under investigation for alleged war crimes committed in Syria years ago.
While their identities haven't been revealed — and are likely to remain secret if authorities decide to proceed with a court martial — the service police have recommended the Service Prosecuting Authority pursue murder charges, the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The British defense ministry holds all personnel to the highest standards, and takes all allegations of wrongdoing extremely seriously. If an investigation finds evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the case will be presented to the relevant prosecuting authority, and justice will be served.
Establishment-critical narrative
After serious wrongdoing by SAS soldiers was revealed in Afghanistan, new management decided to prosecute a comparatively low-level infraction to show they were taking action. Responses to these extremely serious allegations have amounted to nothing more than a case of reputation management.