A number of serving SAS soldiers have been sent "show cause" notices,paving the way for them to be kicked out of the military.Credit:Australian Defence Force
Senior military sources have toldThe Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald that two soldiers were sacked immediately after the release of the Inspector-General's inquiry report last week. They are understood to be witnesses to the killing of a young Afghan man in a field,which was featured on the ABC'sFour Corners earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force is concerned about the bystander factor,which leads some witnesses to alleged crimes to not report them.
The sources also said that a number of the"show cause"notices issued this week were to soldiers who were found to be dishonest when called to give evidence before the inquiry.
A four-year inquiry,led by Justice Paul Brereton for the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force,found Australian special forces soldiers allegedly committed 39 murders in Afghanistan,and 19 serving or former soldiers will face possible prosecution and the stripping of their medals.
The ABC reported at least 10 current members of the SAS implicated in the damning report havereceived show cause notices from the Defence Department.
The Sydney Morning Herald andThe Agehas confirmed with Defence sources that SAS members began receiving the notices this week,asking them to show cause why they shouldn't be sacked.
A Defence spokeswoman confirmed it had initiated"administrative action against a number of serving Australian Defence Force personnel in accordance with legislation and Defence policy".