Australia's most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith arrested over alleged war crimes
The Hindu·2h ago·Neutral
What Happened
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, was arrested April 7, 2026 at Sydney Airport. He faces five war crime murder charges for allegedly killing unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum life sentence. Police allege victims were detained and unarmed when killed. Roberts-Smith denied wrongdoing; he lost a 2023 defamation case and subsequent High Court appeal.
Key Entities
Ben Roberts-SmithAustralian Defence ForceAustralian Federal PoliceAfghanistanVictoria CrossSydney AirportKrissy BarrettOffice of the Special InvestigatorFederal CourtHigh Court