The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up - Part 1 [REPLAY]
Jan 11, 2025
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Join Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott, investigative editors at The Sunday Times, as they unravel a chilling saga of alleged war crimes by the SAS in Afghanistan. They delve into the haunting revelations from a whistleblower who risked everything to expose the truth. The conversation covers the troubling night raids that led to civilian casualties and explores the internal conflicts and ethical dilemmas within military leadership. With a focus on accountability, this thought-provoking discussion unveils a web of potential cover-ups and urgent calls for inquiry.
The podcast reveals alarming allegations that the SAS committed war crimes in Afghanistan, raising serious concerns about military accountability.
A whistleblower's testimony unveils a culture of impunity within the SAS, where cover-ups and dismissive attitudes towards investigations prevailed.
Deep dives
Revelations of War Crimes
Evidence has emerged indicating that the British SAS engaged in a series of killings in Afghanistan that could be classified as war crimes. Investigations revealed that during covert night raids, soldiers reportedly executed unarmed detainees and later staged the scenes to appear as if these individuals had acted in self-defense. This shocking behavior came to light particularly after a comprehensive investigation by journalists, which detailed the brutal actions of the SAS and the subsequent efforts to cover up these incidents. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that these operations were initially dismissed by the Ministry of Defence, which claimed there was no substantial evidence against the troops involved.
Whistleblower's Courage
A high-ranking officer within the Special Forces, referred to as N1466, bravely reported allegations of war crimes committed by soldiers under his command. This whistleblower described a 'cancer' within a rogue SAS squadron that was responsible for executing numerous innocent individuals and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into their actions. His testimony adds significant credibility to the allegations, revealing that even command-level officers recognized the severity of the situation and felt compelled to act. This exemplifies a rare instance of accountability within the military, contrasting sharply with the prevalent denial from higher authorities at the time.
Cover-Up Concerns
Despite the alarming reports regarding SAS operations, senior commanders opted for internal reviews instead of referring the allegations to the Royal Military Police, effectively sidelining potential investigations. The inquiries revealed a disturbing pattern where victims were prepared for executions, with weapons positioned next to them, undermining the integrity of military operations. Many officials, including the head of the Special Forces, appeared to accept questionable explanations regarding the killings without further scrutiny. This lack of appropriate action not only stalled accountability but also fostered an environment of impunity for the perpetrators, raising serious questions about decision-making at high military levels.
This week the Times revealed that ministers are considering bringing back a retired military chief to lead the armed forces amid concerns the likely frontrunner, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has been tainted by the inquiry. Government sources stress that Jenkins has supported the inquiry.
Last year, The Sunday Times’ investigative team, Insight, combed through 6,000 top secret documents to piece together the story of multiple military and government cover ups into the murder of civilians during the Afghan conflict. Today, in part one, we hear about the senior special forces commander, codename N1466, who blew the whistle.
This episode was originally published on 9 May 2024.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory
Guests:
Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times, and
George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times.