The Federal Police Commissioner stated that the soldier is connected to a series of murders committed while serving in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
One of Australia’s most highly decorated soldiers was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly killing unarmed prisoners during his service in Afghanistan, authorities and local media reported following an extensive war crimes investigation.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed the arrest of a 47-year-old former soldier, widely identified in local media as Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that the soldier had been linked to a series of murders during his deployment in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
“The victims were not participating in hostilities at the time of their alleged killings in Afghanistan,” Barrett told reporters.
“It is alleged that the victims were either shot by the accused or by subordinate personnel acting under his orders.”
She confirmed that the former soldier would face five counts of “war crime — murder.”
A former member of the Special Air Service Regiment, Ben Roberts-Smith was once celebrated as Australia’s most distinguished living war hero. However, his reputation suffered a major blow in 2018 when media reports first connected him to the killing of unarmed Afghan prisoners by Australian troops.
These reports eventually led to an ongoing police investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers. Roberts-Smith has consistently denied the allegations and filed a multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit against the newspapers that first published the claims.
War Crime Allegations
Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross—Australia’s highest military honor—for “conspicuous gallantry” in Afghanistan while pursuing a senior Taliban commander. He met Queen Elizabeth II, and his portrait was displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Investigative reporting by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald later alleged that his public image concealed a pattern of criminal and immoral behavior. Among the claims, Roberts-Smith allegedly kicked an unarmed Afghan civilian off a cliff and ordered subordinates to shoot him. He was also accused of participating in the machine-gunning of a man with a prosthetic leg, which was reportedly later used as a drinking vessel by troops.
Australia deployed approximately 39,000 troops to Afghanistan over two decades as part of U.S. and NATO-led operations against the Taliban and other militant groups.
As veterans returned home, scrutiny over their actions intensified. A 2020 military inquiry concluded that special forces personnel “unlawfully killed” 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners, revealing allegations of summary executions, body count competitions, and torture.
Amid mounting pressure, the Australian government appointed a special investigator to determine whether current and former soldiers should face criminal charges.
About the Author
