Australia's Ben Roberts-Smith Arrested on War Crime Charges

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, has been arrested and charged with five counts of war crimes related to murders in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

Arrest and Charges

• Australian Federal Police arrested the 47-year-old former soldier at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.
• He faces five counts of the war crime of murder, each carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
• The charges are connected to the killing of five people during his deployment in Afghanistan.

Military Background

• Roberts-Smith completed six tours of Afghanistan from 2006 to 2012.
• He was awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest military honor, for his actions.
• He was widely celebrated as a national hero prior to the allegations.

Previous Legal Proceedings

• In 2023, a Federal Court judge ruled that media outlets had proven four of six murder accusations published about Roberts-Smith.
• His final appeal was dismissed by the High Court in September 2025.
• Roberts-Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing during his service.

Investigation Context

• A 2020 report found credible evidence that members of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) killed unarmed prisoners in Afghanistan.
• The AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, established to probe war crimes, opened an investigation into Roberts-Smith in 2021.

Current Status

• Roberts-Smith is scheduled to appear before a local court in New South Wales later on Tuesday.
• His lawyer for the defamation trial did not immediately respond to requests for comment.