Australia’s most decorated living veteran, widely reported to be Ben Roberts-Smith, has been charged with allegedly killing five unarmed Afghans between 2009 and 2012. He was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Medal of Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan but now faces five counts of war crime murder. Roberts-Smith was arrested and denied bail upon landing at Sydney airport.
Why It Matters
Roberts-Smith’s charges come after a 2020 report found evidence of Australian SAS and commando troops unlawfully killing non-combatants. War crime murder in Australian law carries a potential life sentence, and Roberts-Smith is the second veteran to be charged in connection with these incidents. The charges highlight the ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Australian troops in Afghanistan.
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