SECURITY — April 8, 2026
Former Australian SAS Soldier Ben Roberts-Smith Charged with Five War Crimes in Afghanistan
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living veteran and former SAS soldier, has been charged with five war crimes for the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012 and denied bail. He denies the allegations following a prior defamation trial that found him involved in four such murders on the balance of probabilities.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Ariana News — 2 min read
SYDNEY (Afghan Verified) -- Ben Roberts-Smith, a 47-year-old former member of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment and the country's most decorated living veteran, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with five counts of war crimes related to the deaths of five civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Each charge carries a potential life sentence. His bail application was rejected, and he was transferred to Silverwater prison in Sydney. His lawyer, Jordan Porotukali, said he does not intend to apply for bail again, with a formal hearing scheduled for April 17 in a Sydney court.
Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross for his service during six missions in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2012. The Australian Federal Police claim the victims were unarmed and under Australian control when they were killed by Roberts-Smith or by subordinates under his orders.
The charges stem from a 2021 joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator. Roberts-Smith denies the allegations, which he says were first raised in 2018 by Nine Entertainment.
In a prior defamation trial, a court found on the balance of probabilities that he was involved in the murders of four Afghan civilians.
Read the original reporting at Ariana News →
Reliability assessment
Single source (Ariana News) reports concrete, checkable details including named individuals (Ben Roberts-Smith, Jordan Porotukali), specific locations (Silverwater prison, Sydney court), dates (2009-2012 incidents, April 17 hearing), charges, police claims ('AFP claim'), and prior court outcomes; qualifies as reliable due to direct on-record attribution and verifiable facts.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- Former Australian soldier to remain in jail after being charged with Afghan war crimes | Reutersreuters.com
SYDNEY, April 8 (Reuters) - Australia's most decorated living soldier will remain behind bars after his legal team did not seek bail following his arrest over multiple alleged war crimes, local media reported on Wednesday.
Ben Roberts-Smith - who left the defence force in 2013 - was arrested at Sydney airport on Tuesday and will face court over five counts of the war crime of murder. He will spend the night in a cell, before a bail hearing on Wednesday.
He will remain in custody overnight ... apply for release on bail Wednesday. Roberts-Smith is only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime.
- Former Australian soldier to remain in jail after being charged with Afghan war crimes - AL-MONITORal-monitor.com
By Christine ChenSYDNEY, April ... war crimes, local media reported on Wednesday.Police on Tuesday arrested and charged Ben Roberts-Smith, ......
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