World | Australia
Australia probes claim soldiers abused Afghan prisoners
The Australian military said on Friday it is investigating allegations that soldiers mistreated prisoners in Afghanistan.
- AP
- Published: 12:35 May 9, 2008
Sydney: The Australian military said on Friday it is investigating allegations that soldiers mistreated prisoners in Afghanistan.
The claims were made by a senior Afghan National Army commander during a weekend meeting with NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officers, the Australian Defence Force said in a statement.
An investigation was ordered by Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, head of Australia's military.
The ADF would not give details of the allegations except to say they related to the treatment of four suspected insurgents.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported the claims of mistreatment were made by four members of the Taliban who were taken into custody after an Australian soldier was killed during an April 27 battle in central-southern Uruzgan province.
"We take all of these claims very seriously and have consistently shown our willingness to be part of investigations into these matters," Major General Michael Hindmarsh, the Australian National Commander for the Middle East, said in the ADF statement.
He said he committed to support an investigation the moment the allegations were brought to his attention.
"Our troops are well-versed in their procedures regarding the safe and humane treatment of detainees and we take our legal obligations in this regard extremely seriously."
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told ABC the outcome of the investigation would be reported to him.
Australia joined the US-led campaign to unseat the Taliban regime from power in 2001, and still has about 1,000 troops in Afghanistan.
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