Whistleblower Who Exposed Afghanistan War Files Walks Free From Prison

War crimes whistleblower David McBride arrives at the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in Canberra on May 14, 2024. AAP Image/Mick TsikasWhistleblower David McBride has been released from a Canberra prison after his bid for parole was successful.His parole was considered and granted on Thursday morning, a spokesperson for attorney-general Michelle Rowland confirmed to AAP. “The government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters,” the spokesperson said. McBride served his full non-parole period of 27 months.The former army lawyer was sentenced to a maximum of five years and eight months in jail in May 2024 after he helped steal secret defence documents about the Afghanistan war. He then leaked them to the press. He pleaded guilty to three charges after the court upheld a commonwealth intervention to withhold evidence that the government argued had the potential to jeopardise Australia’s security.