INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Johnny Mercer, the former UK Minister for Veterans Affairs, has been given 10 days to reveal the source of allegations that British troops
engaged in war crimes in Afghanistan, or face a potential prison sentence.British media reported on Tuesday that Mercer, following his
allegations regarding the killing of Afghan civilians by British forces, was ordered to reveal the sources of his information.The BBC
reported that a public inquiry commissioned by the UK government into the actions of its forces in Afghanistan has directed Mercer to
disclose the names of individuals who leaked information to him about alleged war crimes and cover-ups by special forces, or he may face
imprisonment.Although separate investigations have sought to verify these claims, the British government has yet to officially confirm
them.Earlier this month, Mercer, who served in military missions in Afghanistan, told the court that despite the information he possesses,
he cannot confirm the killing of Afghan civilians by British forces between 2010 and 2013.In court, he also stated that the claim British
soldiers killed unarmed civilians in their sleep does not contradict his findings, but he admitted reluctance to believe it.According to
Mercer, British forces were allegedly instructed to carry an unregistered weapon — one not associated with NATO forces — to place next
to the unarmed Afghan individuals they had killed.The Islamic Emirate&s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the countries that had troops in
Afghanistan for 20 years all committed war crimes.Mujahid stated that if the investigation carries on, it will be a big step and that the
crimes committed should be investigated transparently.&The crimes that have been committed should be investigated transparently because this
was not the work of a few soldiers but a plan that was drawn and crimes were committed in Afghanistan,& he added
The post UK&s Mercer faces 10-day deadline in Afghanistan war crimes inquiry first appeared on Ariana News.
