Special Boat Service (SBS) soldiers could face murder charges over the death of a suspected terrorist in Libya, it has been claimed.
The incident, which occurred as part of secret UK special forces operations in the war-torn North African state, is being investigated by the military police.
An SBS source told the Daily Mail that the soldiers were deployed to Libya two years ago when up to five elite troops were involved in a car chase that ended with the vehicles they were driving circling the suspect’s car.
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It has been alleged that shots were then fired at the vehicle, which killed the driver.
The Mail reported that a criminal investigation by the Defence Serious Crimes Unit was launched over claims the suspect could have been arrested instead.
While it has not been decided which charges the soldiers face, it has been reported that murder charges have not been ruled out.
Operations carried out by the SBS are highly classified – Crown
The disclosure comes as an independent inquiry relating to SAS troops in Afghanistan remains ongoing. It is investigating claims that up to 80 civilians were killed in suspicious circumstances by members of the special forces on night raids between 2010 and 2013.
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Last year, a hearing was told that Sir Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, knew that allegations about the killings of Afghan civilians by SAS forces were “broadly accurate” four years before ordering a public inquiry.
The inquiry is also exploring whether a special forces unit, known to the probe as UKSF1, had a policy of executing men of “fighting age” who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.
Hearing was told Sir Ben Wallace knew about alleged SAS killings of Afghan civilians four years before ordering public inquiry – Heathcliff O’Malley
Afghan families have accused the SAS of conducting a “campaign of murder” against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) “sought to prevent adequate investigation”.
A MoD spokesman said: “Our UK personnel are respected worldwide for the highest standards and action will be taken against anyone that fails to meet these standards, including dismissal from service, where appropriate.”
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