Australia Afghan War Crimes

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett speaks to media during a press conference following the arrest of former Australian soldier in Sydney, Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Former Australian soldier charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan

Former Australian soldier charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan

Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, faces war crime charges on allegations that he killed five unarmed Afghans while serving in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. Police have not confirmed the name of the 47-year-old former soldier who was arrested on Tuesday. But he was been widely reported in the media as the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal who was awarded both the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan. Police says he will remain in custody overnight and will make his first court appearance on Wednesday. Roberts-Smith is only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime.