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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

‘Political pressure’ claims in inquiry into alleged SAS killings of Afghans

Ministry of Defence signage in London
The MoD wants to keep secret the name of an organisation that warned that British soldiers were using unlawful techniques to kill Afghans. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

“Political pressure” was applied in 2016 to narrow the focus of a military police investigation into allegations of summary killings by SAS soldiers in Afghanistan, according to a legal claim made in the high court on Tuesday.

An email disclosed to lawyers representing two families of Afghans killed by the SAS showed that the second in charge of the unit investigating the alleged war crimes, had told colleagues about demands being made from higher up.

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