Key facts
- David McBride, jailed for leaking secret Afghanistan war documents, has been released on parole after serving 27 months.
- He was sentenced to five years and eight months for stealing classified defense documents.
- The leaked documents led to an inquiry finding credible evidence of unlawful killings by Australian forces.
- Attorney General Michelle Rowland approved McBride's parole.
- McBride has been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and will undergo surgery.
David McBride, an Australian army whistleblower jailed for leaking military secrets concerning the nation's involvement in Afghanistan, has been released on parole after serving 27 months of his sentence. McBride was sentenced in May 2024 to five years and eight months after pleading guilty to stealing top-secret defense documents and providing them to the media.
His disclosures were instrumental in a landmark inquiry that uncovered credible evidence of 39 unlawful killings by Australian forces during the war. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland approved McBride's parole, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under supervision in the community. McBride, who is being treated for lung cancer, expressed gratitude to his family and supporters.
During his trial, prosecutors contended McBride's motives were personal vindication and that his actions endangered national security. His defense argued he acted with honorable intentions and a sense of duty. The judge, however, characterized his actions as a "gross breach of trust" with "no contrition." The leaked documents formed the basis of 'The Afghan Files' reports, detailing alleged war crimes by Australian special forces. The Brereton Report subsequently found evidence of 39 unlawful killings, leading to charges against two former Special Air Service soldiers, including Ben Roberts-Smith and Oliver Schulz.