Australia’s most decorated living soldier remains in jail after war crime charge

WorldPolitics
8 Apr 2026 • 3:56 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, has been charged with five counts of war crimes, specifically the murder of five civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
  • He was arrested on Tuesday and subsequently refused bail, spending the night at the Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney.
  • His legal team opted not to seek bail during an online court hearing, with a bail review now scheduled for 17 April.
  • The Australian Federal Police allege the victims were unarmed, detained, and under the control of Australian forces when they were killed, either by Roberts-Smith or his subordinates on his orders.
  • These charges follow a joint investigation by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, and Roberts-Smith had previously lost a defamation trial where he was found to have been involved in the murder of four Afghan civilians.

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