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Ben Roberts-Smith: Australian soldier charged over alleged war crimes

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Office of the Special Investigator

Former Australian Soldier Charged Over Alleged War Crimes

Federal Court of Australia

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Guardian

Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case: key findings from the complete judgment

Former Australian Soldier Arrested Over Alleged War Crimes

Australasian Legal Information Institute

Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 41) [2023] FCA 555 (1 June 2023)

Defence Australia

AFGHANISTAN INQUIRY REPORT

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Al Jazeera

Australia charges ex-soldier Roberts-Smith with Afghan war crimes

Opening Statements Afp Commissioner And Osi Director Investigations Following Arrest Former Australian Soldier

Australian Federal Police

AFP Commissioner opening statement following arrest of former Australian soldier

Former Australian soldier charged over alleged war crimes

Former Australian soldier arrested over alleged war crimes

Sky News Australia

Former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith charged with five counts of war crime murder after arrest

New footage captures moment Ben Roberts-Smith arriving at Silverwater Correctional Centre on remand after war crimes charges laid

CBS News

One of Australia's most decorated soldiers charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan

Former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested at Sydney Airport on April 7, 2026, and charged with five counts of war crime murder under a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator.

Former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested at Sydney Airport on April 7, 2026, and charged with five counts of war crime murder under a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the alleged victims "were not taking part in hostilities" at the time of their deaths and were "detained, unarmed, and were under the control of ADF members when they were killed."

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the alleged victims "were not taking part in hostilities" at the time of their deaths and were "detained, unarmed, and were under the control of ADF members when they were killed."

The charges relate to alleged killings in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on or about April 12, 2009, Sept. 11, 2012, and Oct. 20, 2012. Each count of war crime murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The charges relate to alleged killings in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on or about April 12, 2009, Sept. 11, 2012, and Oct. 20, 2012. Each count of war crime murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The 2020 Brereton Report found "credible evidence" that Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan. The OSI and AFP have since commenced 53 investigations into alleged war crimes by ADF members.

The 2020 Brereton Report found "credible evidence" that Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan. The OSI and AFP have since commenced 53 investigations into alleged war crimes by ADF members.

Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, lost a defamation case in 2023 against Nine newspapers journalists. Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko found the allegations of murder and war crimes were "substantially true," a ruling upheld on appeal.

Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, lost a defamation case in 2023 against Nine newspapers journalists. Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko found the allegations of murder and war crimes were "substantially true," a ruling upheld on appeal.

Rawan Arraf of the Australian Centre for International Justice called the arrest "a significant and long-awaited step for victims" in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment, saying political engagement would be inappropriate.

Rawan Arraf of the Australian Centre for International Justice called the arrest "a significant and long-awaited step for victims" in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment, saying political engagement would be inappropriate.

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Australia's most famous soldier arrested over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

Australia'sAussie mostWar famousHero soldierCharged arrestedWith over5 allegedAfghan warWar crimesCrime in AfghanistanMurders

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Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

Australia'sAussie mostWar famousHero soldierCharged arrestedWith over5 allegedAfghan warWar crimesCrime in AfghanistanMurders

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