Special Forces used a top-secret computer system to hide graphic child abuse images belonging to their soldiers. The sickening material was concealed in a 'cyber vault' on a network so highly classified that not even the Royal Military Police had clearance to view it.
![[Sources said soldiers copied and distributed the disturbing material among themselves for their personal use, before it was intercepted by top brass and transferred on to the server (stock image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/93175031-14195489-image-a-5_1734296953884.jpg)
Its existence emerged only after it was discovered as part of enquiries into claims that SAS troops executed civilians in Afghanistan in cold blood. Primarily Sonata – the IT system – was used to store highly classified reports on SAS operations, but a 'hidden compartment' inside the server was reserved for indecent images.
![[Special Forces used a top-secret computer system to hide graphic child abuse images belonging to their soldiers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/93175029-14195489-image-m-7_1734296980626.jpg)
Sources said soldiers copied and distributed the disturbing material among themselves for their personal use, before it was intercepted by top brass and transferred on to the server. Tonight former UK military intelligence commander Philip Ingram said: 'No service person, whether Special Forces, service police or others should be above the law. It is vital that accusations are investigated diligently and without fear or favour.
![[Troops in Afghanistan. The existence emerged of the material only after it was discovered as part of enquiries into claims that SAS troops executed civilians in Afghanistan in cold blood]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/93175087-14195489-image-a-8_1734297144401.jpg)
'Police should have identified any material passed around inappropriately. Their failures mean today the truth will be difficult to ascertain and any criminal actions difficult to prove in a court of law.'. The sickening material was concealed in a 'cyber vault' on a network so highly classified that not even the Royal Military Police had clearance to view it (stock image).
