A Taliban terrorist who double-crossed and murdered Australian soldiers in Afghanistan has been released from a death sentence and set free.

Hekmatullah posed as an Afghan soldier, then shot and killed Lance Corporal Stjepan “Rick” Milosevic, Private Robert Poate, and Sapper James Martin while they played cards.

He has been freed under a prisoner swap deal negotiated during the US withdrawal.

Ben Fordham lashed out at the US government for allowing the Taliban to “roll out the red carpet” for the terrorist, who has even spoken of his desire to kill more Australian soldiers.

“What a disgrace this is.

“How soul-destroying for the families of Rick and James and Robert.

“[Their lives] were just traded away. Their lives apparently worth nothing.

“What happened to the old rule that we never, ever negotiate with terrorists?”

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full

Image: Australian Defence Force via The Australian