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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

PaulineHansonOz

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 Domestic Airport on Tuesday and charged with five counts of war crime murder under a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

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

The charges relate to alleged killings in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, that supposedly took place from roughly April 12, 2009, to October 20, 2012, with each count of war crime murder carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The charges relate to alleged killings in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, that supposedly took place from roughly April 12, 2009, to October 20, 2012, with each count of war crime murder carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Speaking at a press conference, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the alleged victims "were not taking part in hostilities," having been "detained, unarmed and … under the control of ADF members," at the time of their deaths.

Speaking at a press conference, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the alleged victims "were not taking part in hostilities," having been "detained, unarmed and … under the control of ADF members," at the time of their deaths.

The arrest follows the 2020 Afghanistan Inquiry Report, also known as the Brereton Report, which found "credible information" that Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan, with the OSI and AFP since launching 53 investigations into alleged ADF war crimes.

The arrest follows the 2020 Afghanistan Inquiry Report, also known as the Brereton Report, which found "credible information" that Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan, with the OSI and AFP since launching 53 investigations into alleged ADF war crimes.

An attempt by Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, to clear his name failed in 2023 when he lost a defamation case against several newspapers, after Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko found the allegations against him to be "substantially true," a ruling later upheld on appeal in May 2025.

An attempt by Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, to clear his name failed in 2023 when he lost a defamation case against several newspapers, after Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko found the allegations against him to be "substantially true," a ruling later upheld on appeal in May 2025.

The authorities confirmed that they denied Roberts-Smith bail after taking him into custody, with the former Australian Special Air Service corporal to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court 7 on Wednesday.

The authorities confirmed that they denied Roberts-Smith bail after taking him into custody, with the former Australian Special Air Service corporal to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court 7 on Wednesday.

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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.

Charging a former ADF member with five counts of War Crime – Murder is a necessary step toward justice for Afghan victims who were detained, unarmed and under military control when killed. A decade-long investigation doesn't happen without serious, meticulously gathered evidence. Accountability isn't an attack on the military — it's proof that no one is above the law.

Charging a former ADF member with five counts of War Crime – Murder is a necessary step toward justice for Afghan victims who were detained, unarmed and under military control when killed. A decade-long investigation doesn't happen without serious, meticulously gathered evidence. Accountability isn't an attack on the military — it's proof that no one is above the law.

Spending $300 million over 10 years to arrest a decorated war hero in front of his teenage daughters is a disgraceful misuse of resources and a betrayal of those who served. Ben Roberts-Smith deserves the presumption of innocence, not a system designed to hold him for two years if one bail application fails. Australia should be standing behind its defenders, not throwing them to the wolves.

Spending $300 million over 10 years to arrest a decorated war hero in front of his teenage daughters is a disgraceful misuse of resources and a betrayal of those who served. Ben Roberts-Smith deserves the presumption of innocence, not a system designed to hold him for two years if one bail application fails. Australia should be standing behind its defenders, not throwing them to the wolves.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party

Pauline Hanson

Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

Australia

War crimes

Crime & justice

Arresting and charging Roberts-Smith for war crimes was a necessary step toward justice for his Afghan victims, who were presenting no threat to either Roberts-Smith or his men when he killed them. While the ADF does Australia proud, when the evidence suggests serious contraventions of law took place, those who committed them must be held accountable.

Arresting and charging Roberts-Smith for war crimes was a necessary step toward justice for his Afghan victims, who were presenting no threat to either Roberts-Smith or his men when he killed them. While the ADF does Australia proud, when the evidence suggests serious contraventions of law took place, those who committed them must be held accountable.

This investigation is nothing more than a coordinated attempt by the establishment to destroy the life and reputation of a decorated Australian war hero. The considerable time and resources spent reaching this point are both a disgrace and a betrayal of those who served. Australia should be standing behind its defenders, not throwing them to the wolves.

This investigation is nothing more than a coordinated attempt by the establishment to destroy the life and reputation of a decorated Australian war hero. The considerable time and resources spent reaching this point are both a disgrace and a betrayal of those who served. Australia should be standing behind its defenders, not throwing them to the wolves.

Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

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Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

Aussie War Hero Charged With 5 Afghan War Crime Murders

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