SYDNEY: Australian Military has announced that their soldiers will not face a court martial over the death of six civilians, including five children, during a 2009 raid in Afghanistan.
Earlier three Australian soldiers were charged over the deaths which occurred as special operations soldiers were clearing a compound where they believed a Taliban leader was hiding.
A judge advocate has already cleared two out of three from facing court martial while charges against the third had been formally withdrawn.
“Defence was committed to ensuring a proper legal process was observed throughout this matter so that the individuals charged received a fair trial and that the integrity of the military legal process was preserved,” Defence force chief General David Hurley said.
Six civilians, including five children, were killed during Australian forces raid along with four people were injured in the February 12, 2009 in southern Uruzgan province.
Two army reservists and their commanding officer, who were not identified, were subsequently charged and referred for trial.
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