Australia’s most-decorated soldier arrested over alleged war crimes – local media

Australia’s Top-Decorated Soldier Faces War Crimes Charges

Local news reports indicate that Ben Roberts-Smith, the nation’s most decorated serving soldier, has been apprehended and is set to stand trial for alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The arrest took place at Sydney airport, with court proceedings scheduled for Tuesday. The charges include five counts of murder involving unarmed Afghan detainees.

Roberts-Smith, who retired from the military in 2013, was previously recognized for his valor, earning the Victoria Cross. A 2023 defamation ruling concluded that he was responsible for the deaths of multiple unarmed Afghans. However, the 47-year-old has consistently denied the accusations, labeling them as “egregious” and “spiteful.”

The Brereton Report, a major 2020 investigation, identified “credible evidence” of 39 unlawful killings by elite Australian troops in Afghanistan. This led to the recommendation for 19 current or former soldiers to be scrutinized. Roberts-Smith’s civil case marked the first instance where a court evaluated claims of war crimes by Australian forces.

During the trial, he argued that the killings were either lawful combat actions or did not occur. His appeal against the findings was dismissed last year. On Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the arrest, stating that the 47-year-old was charged with shooting unarmed detainees between 2009 and 2012.

“The alleged conduct related to these charges is confined to a very small section of our trusted and respected ADF, which keeps our country safe,” said Commissioner Krissy Barrett. “The majority of the ADF do our country proud.”