Australia demands apology after China urges war crimes probe with meme of ‘Aussie soldier slitting Afghan child’s throat’
Australian PM Scott Morrison has demanded an official apology from China, after its foreign ministry spokesman urged a probe into recent war crimes allegations with an illustration of a soldier holding a knife to a child's throat.
“Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said in a Tweet on Monday morning.
We strongly condemn such acts, and call for holding them accountable
The post was illustrated with a photo collage of a soldier in Australian military uniform holding a knife to a child’s throat, with a caption that read ‘Don't be afraid, we are coming to bring you peace!’
Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, &call for holding them accountable. pic.twitter.com/GYOaucoL5D
In an emergency press conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison blasted China for this “utterly outrageous” and “false image and terrible slur”, and demanded an official apology while calling on Twitter to wipe the post.
The only thing that has brought shame today is this appalling post by the Chinese Government.
A visibly angry Scott Morrison: “the Chinese government should be ashamed of this post”
PM says Australia is seeking an apology, wants China to remove it, and has contacted Twitter to have it removed
The Chinese remarks and controversial attempt at trolling come in response to a recently released report that found “credible evidence” of war crimes perpetrated by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
An official four-year investigation found evidence that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 prisoners and civilians during their service in Afghanistan. The shocking details prompted the Australian government and the army to apologize to Kabul and the people of Afghanistan.
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