Australia’s Most Decorated Soldier Arrested on War Crimes Charges
Australia’s most decorated soldier was taken into custody on Tuesday after being charged with war crimes linked to the deaths of five unarmed civilians in Afghanistan, according to official announcements.
Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, a former member of the Australian Defense Force (ADF), faces five counts of war crimes, which could lead to life imprisonment for each charge. Reports from court records and police indicate that the victims were reportedly not engaged in any hostilities when they were killed. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Chrissy Barrett remarked that the victims were restrained, unarmed, and under control of ADF personnel during their deaths.
The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2009 and 2012, as per the Australian Federal Police.
Roberts-Smith, who served as a Corporal in the Special Aviation Regiment, earned commendations like the Victoria Cross and the Medal of Valor for his service. However, police now allege that he either shot the victims himself or directed someone else to do so. He has denied these claims consistently, even after they came to light in early 2018. Specific accusations involve him shooting an unarmed Afghan teenager and ordering the execution of a handcuffed man who was kicked off a cliff.
Despite being celebrated as a hero for his multiple tours from 2006 to 2012, Roberts-Smith’s involvement in the incidents has sparked serious legal scrutiny. He has been engaged in a high-profile libel trial against the reports but lost an appeal in 2025 after a federal judge found sufficient evidence that substantiated four of the six murder charges against him.
A report from 2020 also unveiled that many unarmed prisoners of war may have been killed by Australia’s Special Air Service (SAS), prompting further investigations into potential war crimes.
Special Investigations Director Ross Barnett expressed the challenges facing the investigation, noting a lack of access to crucial evidence typically available at a crime scene, such as photographs and forensic data. He indicated that if evidence necessitates additional charges against others, that would definitely occur.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney Airport and taken away in a police vehicle. As of now, his bail has been denied, and he’s set to appear in court for a bail hearing soon. His legal representation has yet to comment regarding the situation.
