Second SAS soldier’s house raided as police ramp up investigation into alleged war crimes

Police have ramped up their investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan after an ex-trooper was charged with murder.

Police have raided the home of another former Special Air Service Regiment soldier and taken induced statements from two others as they step up their probe on those allegedly implicated in war crimes in Afghanistan 10 years ago.

The West Australian man surrendered his mobile phone and other materials after officers armed with a search warrant visited his home two weeks ago.

They were looking to seize evidence as part of the Office of Special Investigator, set up to investigate alleged war crimes as exposed by the bombshell 2020 Brereton Inquiry.

That visit preceded the move during the week to charge a NSW-based former SAS trooper with “war crimes – murder”, the nation’s first war crimes prosecution for an alleged battlefield killing.

Former trooper Oliver Schulz has been charged with “war crimes – murder”.

That soldier, former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz, has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on May 16 where he could apply for bail.

Those close to the probe confirmed at least four primary suspects have had search warrants executed on them.

One former Special Forces soldier is facing an unlawful killing charge but his case has since become muddied with an investigation uncovering evidence of alleged track changes on the After Action Review (AAR) report by a squadron superior, that altered the mission to “an armed reconnaissance” incident when it was found the Afghan man shot dead by colleagues had not been on the so-called JPEL kill/capture list.

At least two former Special Forces soldiers, including one who was serving until recently, have also now given induced statements, outlining the statement they will give if called as a prosecution witness that cannot be used as evidence against them. Several “weak links” had been identified by investigators as they piece together up to 50 incidents.