Australia’s most decorated soldier arrested over alleged Afghanistan war crimes

Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested and is set to face multiple war crimes charges over alleged killings of unarmed civilians during his deployment in Afghanistan.

The 47-year-old former member of the Australian Defence Force was detained at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning, according to authorities. The Australian Federal Police said he will be charged with five counts of war crime murder linked to incidents between 2009 and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said prosecutors will allege that the victims were not participating in hostilities at the time of their deaths. “It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed and under the control of ADF members when they were killed,” she told a press conference.

Investigators further allege that the victims were either shot by Roberts-Smith himself or killed by subordinates acting on his orders and in his presence.

Roberts-Smith, a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross for his service, rose to national prominence following six tours of Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012. He has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

The accusations first emerged in 2018 through investigative reporting by Nine Entertainment newspapers, which alleged, among other claims, that he was involved in the killing of unarmed detainees.

Roberts-Smith launched a defamation case against the publications, but in 2023 a Federal Court judge found that key allegations—including multiple unlawful killings—were substantially true. His final appeal was dismissed by the High Court of Australia in September 2025.

The case forms part of a broader investigation into alleged war crimes by Australian special forces during the Afghanistan conflict. A landmark 2020 inquiry found credible evidence that members of the Special Air Service Regiment were involved in the unlawful killing of dozens of unarmed prisoners.

A joint investigation by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator was launched in 2021 and has since examined dozens of cases. Officials say the process has been complex, in part due to the lack of access to crime scenes in Afghanistan.

Authorities confirmed that more than 50 investigations have been initiated, with several still ongoing. Another former special forces soldier is expected to stand trial on similar charges next year.

Roberts-Smith is due to appear in a local court in New South Wales later on Tuesday.