Ali Jan’s family speaks: We want to testify against Australian troops

In the spring of 2012, an unarmed Afghan villager, Ali Jan, was allegedly kicked off a cliff by Ben Roberts-Smith, who then purportedly directed another soldier to execute him.

That allegation was central to the landmark defamation action brought by Roberts-Smith, where the court found it to be “substantially true”. 

Roberts-Smith has appealed that decision and the allegations have never been proven to a standard that would be required in a criminal trial.

The government has said it plans to compensate the families of victims of alleged Afghanistan war crimes, but 11 years after his murder, Ali Jan’s widow says she’s still awaiting justice.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Michelle Dimasi on what Australia owes the family of Ali Jan.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Michelle Dimasi.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.