Daniel Duggan: Former US Marine pilot arrested in Australia worked with Chinese hacker unknowingly, lawyer says

Former US Marine pilot arrested in Australia worked with Chinese hacker unknowingly, lawyer says

A former Australian military lawyer was on Monday sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after sharing classified documents containing allegations of war crimes with journalists.

ABC News

David McBride, 60, admitted giving the documents to reporters from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), stating that he felt he had a moral duty to speak up and share the information with the public.

BBC News

The documents went on to form the basis of a series of reports, published by ABC in 2017, under the heading "the Afghan Files." They detailed a number of instances where Australia’s elite special forces in Afghanistan were accused of committing multiple war crimes, including the unlawful killing of a number of unarmed civilians and children.

The documents went on to form the basis of a series of reports, published by ABC in 2017, called "the Afghan Files." They detailed instances where Australia’s elite special forces in Afghanistan were accused of committing multiple war crimes — including the unlawful killing of a number of unarmed civilians and children.

A four-year inquiry by the Australian military — published in 2020 — found "credible evidence" that elite Australian soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the Afghan war. It said 25 soldiers took part or were accessories to the crimes, suggesting that 36 incidents should be investigated.

Later, a four-year inquiry by the Australian military — the results of which were published in 2020 — found "credible evidence" that elite Australian soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the Afghan war. It added that 25 soldiers either took part or were accessories to the crimes, suggesting that a total of 36 incidents should be investigated by federal police.

However, McBride is the first person to be prosecuted in relation to the revelations — a point that was criticized by advocacy groups and campaigners. As things stand, one Australian soldier has been charged with the war crime of murder. His case is set to be heard in July of this year.

Al Jazeera

McBride is the first person to be prosecuted in relation to the revelations — a point that was criticized by advocacy groups and campaigners. As things stand, one Australian soldier has been charged with the war crime of murder. His case is set to be heard in July of this year.

Meanwhile, lawyers for McBride — who is eligible for parole in 27 months — said they would appeal the case, stating they disagreed with earlier statements from the judge who said the whistleblower had no legal right or obligation to breach orders, and that his actions were not justified by public interest.

Lawyers for McBride, who's eligible for parole in 27 months, said they'd appeal — saying they disagreed with earlier statements from the judge who said the whistleblower had no legal right or obligation to breach orders, and that his actions weren't justified by the public interest.

CNN #3452

ABC News #

BBC News #

Al Jazeera #

McBride stole over 200 classified documents from the Australian military and grossly breached his duties by sharing these documents with journalists. Such actions threaten Australia's national security and puts the lives of soldiers that serve the country at risk. A prison sentence was necessitated because it's important to deter others from taking the same steps.

SBS News

SBS News #

Whistleblower David McBride sentenced to prison for nearly six years for leaking ADF files

What does it say about a society that punishes a whistleblower who revealed war crimes while those that perpetrated the crimes are yet to face justice? This is a dark day for democracy in Australia. Whistleblowing rules need to be changed so this sort of thing doesn't happen again — otherwise wrongdoing will continue to be treated with impunity.

Guardian

Guardian #

The jailing of David McBride is a dark day for democracy and press freedom in Australia | Kieran Pender and Peter Greste

There's a 40% chance that the Coalition will win the next Australian federal election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Coalition Wins Australian Federal Election

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Australian Military Whistleblower Jailed for Nearly 6 Years

McBride stole over 200 classified documents from the Australian military and grossly breached his duties by sharing these documents with journalists. Such actions threaten Australia's national security and put the lives of soldiers who serve the country at risk. A prison sentence was necessitated because it's important to deter others from taking the same steps.

What does it say about a society that punishes a whistleblower who revealed war crimes while those who perpetrated the crimes are yet to face justice? This is a dark day for democracy in Australia. Whistleblowing rules need to be changed so this sort of thing doesn't happen again — otherwise, wrongdoing will continue to be treated with impunity.

Australian Military Whistleblower Jailed for Nearly 6 Years

Australian Military Whistleblower Jailed for Nearly 6 Years

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Australian Military Whistleblower Jailed for Nearly 6 Years

Australian Military Whistleblower Jailed for Nearly 6 Years

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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