Britain’s public inquiry into alleged war crimes by the Special Air Service (SAS) has heard evidence that Afghan detainees were allegedly thrown from raised forklifts “for fun,” as investigators continue examining claims of unlawful killings and abuse by British special forces during the Afghanistan conflict.
Britain’s independent public inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by members of the Special Air Service (SAS) has heard testimony that Afghan detainees were allegedly thrown from raised forklifts for amusement, adding to mounting allegations of abuse and unlawful conduct by British special forces during operations in Afghanistan.
The evidence was presented on Tuesday before the inquiry chaired by Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, the retired Court of Appeal judge leading the investigation into allegations that British special forces unlawfully killed Afghan civilians during operations between 2010 and 2013.
According to testimony heard by the inquiry, a former SAS soldier alleged that detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq were placed on forklift tines, lifted into the air and deliberately dropped after drivers braked suddenly. A witness told the inquiry he had been informed the practice was carried out “for fun.”
The inquiry also heard evidence from former British Army officer Christopher Green, who testified about a 2012 night raid in Rahim village, Helmand province, in which three young Afghan farmers were killed during an SAS operation.
The latest claims form part of a broader investigation into allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by British special forces during the war in Afghanistan.
Previous hearings have heard allegations that some SAS personnel maintained unofficial “kill lists” and carried out night raids in which unarmed Afghan civilians were allegedly executed, including individuals reportedly shot while inside their homes. The inquiry has also examined claims that operational reports were altered to justify fatal shootings.
The UK government established the public inquiry in 2022 following years of investigative reporting and legal challenges surrounding alleged misconduct by British special forces. Its mandate is to examine evidence relating to operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013 and determine whether unlawful killings or attempts to conceal them occurred.
No final findings have been issued, and the inquiry has not reached conclusions regarding individual criminal liability. British military authorities have previously denied wrongdoing in individual cases, while emphasizing that the inquiry is independent and that they are cooperating with its proceedings.
The inquiry is expected to continue hearing testimony from former military personnel, investigators and other witnesses before issuing its final report.
