Australia's Most Decorated Soldier Arrested for Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crime murders. These charges relate to the alleged killing of unarmed civilians during his deployment in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated that the victims were not participating in hostilities at the time of their deaths and were under the control of Australian Defence Force members. Roberts-Smith, who has been awarded several top military honors, including the Victoria Cross, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The allegations first surfaced in 2018 through reports by Nine Entertainment newspapers, leading to Australia's most expensive defamation trial, which Roberts-Smith lost. A 2020 report found credible evidence of war crimes committed by Australia's Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan, prompting an investigation by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator. 
