Four Czech soldiers to face trail over Afghan soldier’s death

Four Czech special forces soldiers are facing trial over their involvement in the death of a former Afghan soldier in 2018.

According to Radio Prague, four Czech special forces soldiers have been charged for their involvement in the death of a former Afghan soldier at the Shindand base in Herat in 2018. The charges stem from allegations of a “violent” death of the Afghan prisoner, who died after being detained by the Czech forces. This marks one of the most serious cases in the history of the Czech military.

The Czech media reported that the soldiers are set to stand trial in the Brno regional court. The trial is significant due to its gravity, with some soldiers potentially facing life imprisonment.

The incident dates back to October 2018, when Wahidullah Khan, a former Afghan soldier, attacked a Czech convoy, killing one Czech soldier and injuring two others. Following the attack, Khan was captured, interrogated, and later died while in custody. Czech police launched an investigation, which, after more than three years, was initially closed in December 2021. The case was reopened in 2024, leading to the indictment of the four soldiers.

The accused soldiers are identified as Karl M., Vatslav C., Stefan T., and Frantisek K. Two soldiers are accused of “guard duty violation” and “failure to provide aid,” while the other two face charges of “extortion” and “disobedience.” A spokesperson for the regional court confirmed the indictment but refrained from providing further details due to the case’s confidentiality.

The prosecution believes the soldiers are responsible for Khan’s death. If found guilty, the accused could face life imprisonment. Three of the soldiers’ lawyers have maintained their clients’ innocence, and reports indicate the soldiers continued their military service until the indictment was issued.

This case has drawn significant attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and its implications for the Czech military. The outcome of the trial could set an important precedent for accountability in military operations abroad. As the trial proceeds, the legal and diplomatic ramifications for the Czech Republic and its involvement in foreign military engagements will be closely monitored.

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