French army investigated over soldiers’ deaths in Afghanistan

A French examining magistrate is opening an investigation into the death of nine French soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan in 2008. Families of the victims have alleged the nine soldiers killed on 18 August 2008 in an ambush by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan’s Uzbeen valley died because of negligence in the chain of command.

File photo: AFP

A tenth person was killed in an operation to recover the 21 soldiers wounded in the ambush.

The families of the victims filed a claim in March 2010 with the Paris military tribunal (TAP), which did not pursue the matter.

Examining magistrate Frédéric Digne decided to take the case on, investigating the situation around the deaths, categorised as involuntary homicide.

The TAP can appeal the decision to investigate within five days. Another court hen takes over the case.