Australian troops were helicoptered into the village, hunting a rogue Afghan National Army sergeant named Hekmatullah, who had shot dead three Australian soldiers a fortnight earlier. Roberts-Smith denies this, earlier telling the court that on that day he shot at an alleged “spotter” about 2 metres away during a firefight. The “big soldier” assaulted both Hanifa and Ali Jan as he interrogated them, asking them if they were Taliban or knew Hekmatullah. Hanifa said once the Australian soldiers left, he was untied by a woman in his village and he discovered Ali Jan’s body. Hanifa said the Australian soldiers planted a radio on Ali Jan’s body – a practice known as “throwing down”.

Source: The Guardian July 26, 2021 08:48 UTC