Australia war crimes whistleblower jailed for nearly 6 years

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former Australian Army lawyer David McBride has been sentenced to five years and eight months for revealing information about Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, says a media report.

David McBride, who pleaded guilty in November to three charges of stealing and sharing military information, was given five years and eight months’ imprisonment, Australian media reports said.

The former Australian Army lawyer’s sentencing comes almost seven years after Australian public broadcaster -- the ABC, -- published a series of seven articles known as the Afghan Files based on information McBride provided, according to Al-Jazeera.

McBride, who arrived at the Supreme Court in Canberra this morning with his pet dog and surrounded by supporters, will remain behind bars until at least August 13, 2026, before he is eligible for parole.

The series led to an unprecedented Australian Federal Police raid on the ABC headquarters in June 2019 but details published in the series were also later confirmed in an Australian government inquiry, which found there was credible evidence to support allegations that war crimes had been committed.

In an interview with Al Jazeera before his trial began last year, McBride said he had never made a secret of sharing the files.

“What I want to be discussed is whether or not I was justified in doing so,” McBride said.

sa/mud