Australia's Most Decorated Soldier Remanded on War Crime Charges

Former SAS Corporal Faces Grave Allegations

Ben Roberts-Smith, a recipient of the Victoria Cross and Australia's most decorated living soldier, has been remanded in custody after being charged with five counts of the war crime of murder. Mr Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested at Sydney Airport and subsequently appeared in court, where his legal representatives opted not to apply for bail. He vehemently denies all allegations, having previously labelled such claims as "egregious".

These criminal proceedings emerge after a landmark defamation judgement in 2023, which concluded that the former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) was involved in the killing of several unarmed Afghans between 2009 and 2012. That civil case, initiated by Mr Roberts-Smith himself, marked an unprecedented examination of war crime allegations against Australian forces in a court of law. The judge in that instance found, on the balance of probabilities, that there was substantial truth to the allegations.

The current criminal charges against Mr Roberts-Smith include one count of the war crime of murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three counts of aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring a murder. The maximum penalty for these grave offences is life imprisonment.

Police Emphasise Rigour of Investigation

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed that the case has been the result of a "complex and thorough investigation". AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that it would be alleged the victims were either shot by Mr Roberts-Smith or by subordinate Australian Defence Force (ADF) members acting under his orders and in his presence. Commissioner Barrett also emphasised that the allegations of misconduct are confined to a "very small section" of the ADF, underscoring that the vast majority of the country's armed forces uphold exemplary standards.

Mr Roberts-Smith is scheduled to appear in court again on 17 April via video link.