Australian Soldier's War Crime Trial Unlikely Before 2027

Oliver Schulz, an Australian soldier accused of a war crime in Afghanistan, has pleaded not guilty in court.

Schulz is charged with the murder of Afghan national Dad Mohammad, alleged to have taken place in Uruzgan province in 2012. His trial, however, faces significant delays due to national security concerns.

This particular case highlights the ongoing investigations into conduct by Australian forces in Afghanistan, following a 2020 military report recommending criminal probes into 39 unlawful killings.

(With inputs from agencies.)