German court begins hearing Afghan air strike case
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 October 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, German court begins hearing Afghan air strike case, 30 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/528b684014.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 30, 2013
The site of the 2009 air strike in Kunduz Province (file photo)
A German court on October 30 began hearing a civil case brought by relatives of some of the 91 Afghans killed in a NATO air strike four years ago.
Philipp Prietze, a spokesman for the Bonn regional court, said the court reviewed video recorded by two U.S. fighter jets involved in the air strike in the Afghan province of Kunduz on September 4, 2009. The strike was ordered by a German colonel fearful that militants would use two stolen fuel tankers to attack his troops.
Most of the dead were civilians. Germany paid $5,000 each to victims' families, but some are seeking additional compensation.
Separately, Germany said it would offer refuge to 182 Afghan translators and drivers risking persecution after coalition troops leave Afghanistan because they worked for the German military.
Based on reporting by AP and Wdr.de
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
