Australia’s most decorated veteran granted bail on war crimes charges related to Afghan deaths
Summary
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living veteran, was granted bail after being charged with war crimes related to the deaths of five people in Afghanistan. He faces serious charges of intentionally killing civilians or prisoners while serving in the military and is awaiting trial.Key Facts
- Ben Roberts-Smith is a former corporal in Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment.
- He was arrested on April 7 and charged with five counts of war crime murder involving killings in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012.
- War crime murder means intentionally killing people not involved in fighting, such as civilians or prisoners.
- Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry for his military service in Afghanistan.
- The charges come after a 2020 military report found evidence of unlawful killings by Australian troops in Afghanistan.
- In 2023, a civil court found similar allegations against Roberts-Smith mostly true, but these criminal charges require a higher proof standard.
- Prosecutors worried Roberts-Smith might flee or interfere with witnesses but the judge found special reasons to grant bail.
- Roberts-Smith has not yet pleaded guilty or not guilty and faces up to life imprisonment on conviction.
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