Australia’s Most-Decorated Soldier Arrested Over Alleged War Crimes
Ben Roberts-Smith, the country’s most highly decorated serving soldier, has been detained by authorities following accusations of war crimes committed in Afghanistan, as reported by local news outlets. The 47-year-old, who retired from the defense force in 2013, was apprehended at Sydney airport and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, facing five counts of murder linked to alleged war crimes.
A defamation ruling in 2023 revealed that the former Special Air Service corporal and Victoria Cross recipient had killed multiple unarmed Afghan civilians. Despite this, Roberts-Smith maintains his innocence, labeling the accusations as “egregious” and “spiteful.” His case is notable as it marks the first instance where a court evaluated claims of war crimes by Australian military personnel.
The Brereton Report, a significant 2020 investigation, uncovered “credible evidence” that elite Australian soldiers had fatally shot 39 individuals in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. This led to the recommendation for 19 current or former soldiers to be scrutinized. While Roberts-Smith’s civil trial concluded with a finding against him, he contested the decision and lost an appeal last year.
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The alleged conduct related to these charges is confined to a very small section of our trusted and respected ADF, which keeps our country safe,” said Commissioner Krissy Barrett of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). “The majority of the ADF do our country proud.”
On Tuesday, the AFP confirmed the arrest of a 47-year-old ex-serviceman, identifying him as Roberts-Smith, and stated he would be charged with the fatal shooting of unarmed detainees during his time in Afghanistan. This development underscores ongoing debates about accountability within Australia’s military operations abroad.
