Australia’s Most Decorated Soldier Arrested Over Alleged War Crimes
7th April 2026
Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, is expected to be charged with five counts of murder which he allegedly committed while on deployment in Afghanistan.
The former Australian Defence Force member was arrested at Sydney airport on Tuesday morning.
The charges brought against Mr Roberts-Smith are in connection to the deaths of five people in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, the Australian Federal Police said.
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Mr Roberts-Smith was heralded as a national hero after being awarded several top military honours – including the prestigious Victoria Cross – for his actions during six tours of Afghanistan from 2006 to 2012.