The families of the dead received 2.3 million Afghanis ($46,000) each while the injured were paid 500,000 Afghanis at a private ceremony at the Kandahar provincial governor's office, the officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The killings – mostly of women and children – in Panjwai district are thought to be the deadliest crime by a US soldier during the decade-long conflict and have tested Washington and Kabul’s already tense relationship to the limit.
The funds were provided by the US military, the officials said, adding that American officers, local government leaders and tribal elders were present at the event on Saturday.
Local government officials in Kandahar declined to comment.
In Kabul a spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) declined to confirm any payment had been made.
“As a matter of policy Isaf does not make restitution for losses resulting from combat, combat-related activities or operational necessity,” he said.
But he added: “Individual troop-contributing nations may participate in some form of restitution consistent with the cultural norms of Afghanistan.”
Such payments are normally kept confidential, he added.
Fears had been expressed that if the families received compensation they could be targeted by Taliban militants who consistently threaten anyone who receives money from the United States or other foreign forces in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, 38, of the US 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, has been charged with 17 premeditated murders and six counts of assault and attempted murder in connection with the massacre earlier this month.
Responding to the charges, a spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai said: “We want justice and we want it as soon as possible,” although a spokesman for Bales's home base said it was likely to be 18-24 months until any trial.
COMMENTS (13)
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@hassan: The US right wing is already showering him with rose petals.
@Umer:
Do not ridicule Shariah Law. Please. The payments to the victims families have just been made as compensation - not as a settlement for the case. Since the soldier is being trailed in the US where no Shariah law is in force, this can not stand for blood-money. The families of the victims still want the soldier to be hanged.
I know how shocked they are after the incident and yet you are here to shed your lame sarcasm. Some of the victims were my far-relatives :-(
Simply shows the Weakness of the Muslim Ummah. Imagine if the Ummah was strong enough to punish Bales in a Islamic court, now he will go live in a luxury prison cell for 5 years and walk free afterwards. Why don't we learn lessons from past lessons? Look at raymond davis, for a change. Until the Muslims unite, there will be more killed just like the kids and women in Afghanistan 2 weeks ago
@Afghan Karachiite:
Soldier can not be punished now that the blood money has been paid. This is according to Shariah.
Heard the words "True Muslim", "Compassionate Muslim" etc. Is there a term as "Opportunist Muslim" ? Shahria Law is great. Should soon become the most (mis)used law.
Not only had Robert Bales wiped out lives of some families, he is also a burden for the U.S. tax-payers. No way he can pay and make up for the damages and loss he had caused.
The fact that Robert Bales will face justice for his act and a responsible gesture has been made to the victims by the US is positive news.
Matter dealt as per Shariah. Now no one can any objection.
By the way, how you guys will feel if that soldier is greeted with a shower of rose petals ?
The perpetrator is in jail awaiting trial under charges which include the death penalty but likely life in prison. The survivors/relatives have been paid compensation. Doesn't bring back the dead but the USA should be given some credit - they have accepted guilt and tried to do something to make it right - and they didn't require a special Commission.
Some of the western reactions prove that the US and its NATO followers are completely homicidal societies These people had their children murdered in a act of western terror. Imagine if it was your family gunned down and burned by foreign mercenaries occupying your neighborhood. As an aside, before the western invasion and ten year illegal occupation which destroyed and impoverished Afghanistan and mass murdered 100,000 of their people, there was virtually no opium growing. And homicidal rednecks including America's repulsive politicians should stop chanting 911 as an excuse for committing western terrorism, goat farmers as well as their families and five year old tribal children had nothing to do with it. The Saudi Arabian groups involved in planning and executing that got a free pass from the US government
I'm glad the blood-money is being paid. No Mullah should now have any objection!
So you finally admit this was an authorized combat operation and more than one soldiers were involved.
Money never supersedes the loss the families of the victims received, yet it may help their financial problems resolved to some extent. Also wish the compensations do not stand for the "blood money" giving the murderer impunity.
Only seeing the culprit soldier sentenced to death could give a relief to the victims families.