Summary
Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, was granted bail after 10 days in jail. He faces charges of murdering five people in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, which he denies, and could face life in prison if convicted.
Key Facts
- Roberts-Smith was arrested in Sydney and charged with murdering five people during his deployment in Afghanistan.
- The alleged victims were reportedly not involved in fighting when they were killed.
- Police say Roberts-Smith either shot the victims himself or ordered subordinates to do so in his presence.
- He is a highly decorated soldier, awarded the Victoria Cross in 2011 and previously celebrated as a war hero and "father of the year."
- Reports in 2018 accused him of involvement in killing unarmed Afghans and other war crimes, which he initially denied.
- A 2023 court ruling found many of the journalists’ claims to be "substantially true" in a civil case with a lower standard of proof than this criminal trial.
- Australia sent 39,000 troops to Afghanistan over 20 years, working alongside the US and NATO forces.
- The case is expected to take years before going to trial, prompting the judge to grant bail.
