• The only British soldier charged with murder in the Bloody Sunday incident goes on trial in Belfast.
• Soldier F faces charges over the killings of two men and attempted murder of five others.
• The trial marks a significant moment for families seeking justice after over 50 years.

The trial of Soldier F, the only British soldier charged with murder in connection with the Bloody Sunday massacre, commenced in Belfast on September 15, 2025. This incident took place over half a century ago on January 30, 1972, when British paratroopers opened fire on unarmed civil rights demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuring 15 more. Soldier F is accused of murdering two men—James Wray and William McKinney—and attempting to murder five others, during one of the most infamous events of the Troubles, the 30-year sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.

During the opening statements, prosecutor Louis Mably emphasized that the civilians posed no threat and were merely trying to flee when they were shot. He described the actions of the soldiers as “unnecessary and gratuitous,” indicating an intent to kill, as the soldiers reportedly lost control of the situation. Soldier F, who has been granted anonymity, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

The trial represents the culmination of decades of advocacy by families of the victims, who have fought tirelessly for accountability and justice since the massacre. John McKinney, brother of William McKinney, expressed that finally seeing a former soldier stand trial was a significant achievement after 53 years of efforts, stating, “We will shortly occupy a courtroom very proudly with our heads held high." The lengthy delay to reach this point reflects a complex history surrounding the events of Bloody Sunday, including prior investigations and mixed findings regarding accountability, according to Los Angeles Times, South China Morning Post, and Reuters.

The initial public inquiry, the Widgery Tribunal, largely vindicated the soldiers involved, which was met with significant backlash from victims' families, who argued it was a whitewash. This was later followed by the definitive 2010 Saville Inquiry, which concluded that the shootings were “unjustified and unjustifiable,” leading to official apologies from British authorities, including then-Prime Minister David Cameron. The findings set the foundation for the prosecution of Soldier F, but many challenges have since arisen regarding the admissibility of evidence, complicating the path to justice for the families of the victims, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

With the trial underway, expectations from the public and the victims' families are high, even as the legal and historical complexities surrounding the case continue to provoke discussions about accountability, governance, and the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It remains to be seen how the trial will unfold, given the intricate legal landscape and the deep emotional scars in the community, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.