Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Angus Campbell has warned that additional criminal charges may be brought concerning claims that Australian soldiers committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Speaking to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Campbell reportedly stated that the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) was still looking into claims of war crimes against Australian service members, reports the Guardians.

According to reliable information, Australian Special Forces members killed up to 39 people while operating in the country, and 19 servicemen were referred for criminal prosecution.

Over 40 alleged offences are being looked at, according to the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), established in the wake of the report.

It claimed that throughout 23 different occurrences, 25 Special Forces members had either directly participated in or served as “accessories” to unlawful killings. 

“The OSI, which is working independently, has seen a first arrest and charging of a former soldier. You will not see me trying to gloss over these things, and I think there could be some very uncomfortable days coming forward,” Campbell said.

According to the 2020 probe report, some soldiers’ unchecked “warrior culture” was responsible for the murders of “prisoners, farmers, or civilians” between 2009 and 2013.

Australia had 400 soldiers operating in Afghanistan until the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021.