Afghan Files military whistleblower David McBride back before ACT court

A military lawyer who leaked classified documents about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan is due to appear again before a Canberra court.

Whistleblower David William McBride speaks to the media after appearing in the ACT Supreme Court in Canberra, Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Whistleblower David William McBride. Source: AAP

A military lawyer who blew the whistle on alleged war crimes by Australian troops is due back in court.

David McBride is expected to return to the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday for the latest in a string of preliminary hearings.

Crown prosecutors were given until 8 August to file their brief of evidence against the 55-year-old, including the witnesses they intend to call at his trial.

McBride had until Wednesday to respond.
Defence and federal police officials are expected to be among the witnesses.

McBride leaked classified documents to ABC journalists in 2017, who went on to produce a series called The Afghan Files.

The reports aired allegations of Australian soldiers carrying out unlawful killings in Afghanistan.

Recent raids at ABC headquarters in Sydney came off the back of those stories.

The two journalists involved are also being pursued by federal police for publishing the documents.

McBride has been committed to stand trial charged with theft of commonwealth property, three counts of breaching the Defence Act and unauthorised disclosure of information.

He argues it was his duty to the people of Australia to leak the documents.


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Published 22 August 2019 8:50am
Updated 22 August 2019 9:23am


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