ABC journalist Dan Oakes will not be prosecuted over 'Afghan Files' reporting

ABC journalist Dan Oakes will not be prosecuted for a series of articles detailing alleged war crimes carried out by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

These stories, known as the "Afghan Files", prompted an investigation into Oakes by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) into the alleged leaking of classified documents.

As a result of the investigation, the AFP submitted a brief of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution (CDPP).

In it the AFP outlined three potential criminal charges, two of which the CDPP believed there were reasonable prospects of convicting Oakes in court.

But the CDPP determined Oakes' reporting was in the public interest and should not be pursued as a criminal matter.

The AFP said today it had finalised its investigation into Oakes.

"In determining whether the matter should be prosecuted, the CDPP considered a range of public interest factors, including the role of public interest journalism in Australia's democracy," the AFP said in a statement.

"The CDPP determined the public interest does not require a prosecution in the particular circumstances of this case."