Former Australian SAS Soldier Ben Roberts-Smith Charged with Five War Crimes in Afghanistan
SYDNEY (Afghan Verified) -- Ben Roberts-Smith, a 47-year-old former member of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment and the country's most decorated living veteran, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with five counts of war crimes related to the deaths of five civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Each charge carries a potential life sentence. His bail application was rejected, and he was transferred to Silverwater prison in Sydney. His lawyer, Jordan Porotukali, said he does not intend to apply for bail again, with a formal hearing scheduled for April 17 in a Sydney court.
Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross for his service during six missions in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2012. The Australian Federal Police claim the victims were unarmed and under Australian control when they were killed by Roberts-Smith or by subordinates under his orders.
The charges stem from a 2021 joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator. Roberts-Smith denies the allegations, which he says were first raised in 2018 by Nine Entertainment.
In a prior defamation trial, a court found on the balance of probabilities that he was involved in the murders of four Afghan civilians.
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