Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, was arrested at Sydney airport and will be charged with five counts of war crime murders. The charges relate to alleged killings of unarmed civilians during deployments in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Roberts-Smith previously faced accusations of murdering unarmed civilians while serving with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan, allegations that were central to a defamation suit he brought against several newspapers.
The arrest follows his recent loss in that defamation case, brought against reporters who alleged his involvement in the murders of unarmed Afghan men. He was also accused of ordering subordinates to carry out executions.
Roberts-Smith was due to appear in court in Sydney on Tuesday regarding these new charges.