An ex-Australian SAS soldier, Oliver Jordan Schulz, is facing serious accusations of war crimes for allegedly killing an Afghani farmer in 2012. The incident took place in a wheat field in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, where Dad Mohammad was shot three times while lying on his back.
After his arrest in March 2023, Schulz’s case has been moving slowly through the lower courts. Despite the delay, prosecutors are pushing for witnesses to be called during the committal stage to ensure a fair trial.
Despite concerns about the lengthy process, a date has been set for a five-day hearing in April. Schulz’s lawyer, Karen Espiner, is preparing for the case with up to 10 proposed witnesses.
This high-profile case marks the first time a former or serving Australian Defence Force member has been charged with war crime-related murder, adding further intensity to the legal proceedings.