Journalist Barred from War Crime Hearing Amid Legal Tensions

In April 2025, Australian photojournalist Andrew Quilty was unexpectedly barred from attending a committal hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court. The hearing concerned former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz, who faces a war crime charge for allegedly murdering an Afghan man, Dad Mohammad, during a 2012 mission in Uruzgan province. Quilty, a prosecution witness, had been advised by both prosecution and defence lawyers to avoid attending due to his status as a witness. Despite this, he arrived at the court to cover the proceedings for The Monthly. Magistrate Greg Grogin ordered Quilty to leave, citing concerns over potential contamination of witness testimony.

The case has drawn significant attention, as it marks the first time an Australian serviceman or veteran has been charged with a war crime under Australian law. The charge stems from footage aired by ABC’s Four Corners program in 2020, showing Schulz shooting Dad Mohammad while the man lay on his back in a wheat field.

Quilty, who lived and worked in Afghanistan for nearly a decade, has been instrumental in documenting and reporting on the conflict. His work has earned him multiple Walkley Awards, including the prestigious Gold Walkley in 2016. His unexpected exclusion from the hearing raises questions about press access and the role of journalists in legal proceedings, particularly in cases involving national security and military conduct.

The legal proceedings against Schulz are ongoing, with the committal hearing serving to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. The outcome of this case may set a significant precedent for how war crimes committed by Australian personnel are prosecuted under domestic law.