UK Inquiry Hears Allegations of Abuse by British Special Forces in Afghanistan

A public inquiry in the United Kingdom has heard allegations that members of British Special Forces abused Afghan detainees during deployments between 2010 and 2013. According to evidence presented on Tuesday, Monica Grenfell, who has worked with UK Special Forces, told the Afghanistan Inquiry that a former Special Forces member described mistreating prisoners “for fun” during operations in Afghanistan.

Grenfell testified that the former serviceman, identified only as “Name3,” told her detainees were placed on a forklift, lifted into the air, and then thrown off as the vehicle was driven abruptly. She said he claimed similar conduct had taken place in Afghanistan and alleged that such actions were not carried out alone but involved others. Grenfell also told the inquiry she was shocked by what she had been told.

The testimony forms part of the Afghanistan Inquiry’s investigation into allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by UK Special Forces during operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. Grenfell also alleged that British Special Forces had operated for years with insufficient military and government oversight. The inquiry is continuing to examine the claims, and no findings have yet been reached regarding the allegations.