US Air Force Member Jailed for Telling 90% of People Killed by Drones Are Civilians
It may appear that this will be the first time you’ll be hearing this news. Well, inside the the military this is not news to them ever since.
A former member of the US Air Force leaked classified information about drone warfare to a journalist after leaving the military, his name is Daniel Hale.
In his revelation in 2014 after leaving the military, Hale claimed that at least 90% of those killed in drone strikes are civilians or bystanders. The strikes often failed to hit the target.
Hale was tried in Alexandria, Virginia. When asked why he’d leaked the information to the public, he said.
“that it is wrong to kill, but it is especially wrong to kill the defenseless.” “…was necessary to dispel the lie that drone warfare keeps us safe, that our lives are worth more than theirs.”
On court floor after hearing the 4-year life imprisonment sentence, Hale issued the following statement.
“I am here because I stole something that was never mine to take — precious human life,”
The government has always been notorious against whistle-blowers and claiming developments like these threaten national security. This include along with other whistle-blowers like Julian Assange of Wikileaks.
The exiled former NSA member and fellow whistle-blower himself, Edward Snowden uttered the following words regarding Hales’ case.
“Daniel Hale, one of the great American Whistleblowers, was just moments ago sentenced to four years in prison. His crime was telling this truth: 90% of those killed by US drones are bystanders, not the intended targets. He should have been given a medal.”