Norway

Investigation of alleged war crimes

Defence Chief, General Harald Sunde har ordered a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes committed by Norwegian troops in Afghanistan, the newspaper VG reports.

According to the newspaper, the Defence Chief has ordered the investigation, after a platoon leader is said to have shared information of two such incidents:

On December 31st 2009, Norwegian soldiers are alleged to have used an Afghan man as "human shield" north of Meymaneh.

On January 17th 2010, Norwegian soldiers are alleged to have shot and killed an Afghan insurgent, in breech of the rules of war.

- There is nothing to suggest that this has actually happened, but the Defence Chief has ordered a thorough investigation, since rumours of alleged war crimes are still circulating, a Defence spokesman says to VG.

(NRK/VG/Norway Post)