An Australian judge has sentenced a former army lawyer to nearly six years in prison for leaking classified information that exposed allegations of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. The 60-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to charges of theft and sharing secret documents with the media.
The judge ordered the defendant to serve over two years in prison before being eligible for parole. The case has sparked debate over whistleblower protections in Australia, with rights advocates criticizing the lack of safeguards for individuals exposing wrongdoing.
The leaked documents formed the basis of a television series that detailed war crime allegations involving Australian soldiers killing unarmed Afghan men and children. The defendant maintained that his actions were in the public interest, but the judge dismissed this argument, stating that it did not reflect reality.
In a separate development, an Australian military report released in 2020 found evidence of unlawful killings by Australian troops in Afghanistan. Subsequent investigations have led to charges against several soldiers, including the first veteran to be charged with a war crime last year.
The sentencing of the whistleblower has raised concerns about the treatment of individuals who come forward with information about misconduct. Human rights organizations have called for reforms to protect whistleblowers and ensure transparency and accountability in the military.
