Australia's Most Decorated Soldier Accused of Afghan War Crimes

(MENAFN) A Sydney court on Friday released on bail Australia's most decorated military veteran, who faces accusations of committing war crimes during combat operations in Afghanistan.

Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, was taken into custody on April 7 at Sydney Airport and now faces five counts of murder allegedly carried out in Uruzgan province between 2009 and 2012, as reported by media.

Defense attorneys urged the court to consider the extraordinary nature of the proceedings, stating that "the case was unprecedented and involved uncharted legal territory." The case, they argued, was likely to take years, with "many twists and turns."

Presiding Judge Greg Grogin approved the bail application, ruling that "the concerns raised by prosecutors could be mitigated through strict conditions proposed by his lawyers."

The charges follow Roberts-Smith's failed defamation lawsuit against Nine newspapers, which had published allegations of war crimes — a legal battle he ultimately lost, paving the way for his criminal prosecution.

Should he be found guilty, the former soldier faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under war crimes legislation governing the murder charge.

Australian federal police revealed that of 53 total investigations into alleged battlefield misconduct by Australian Defense Force personnel in Afghanistan, 14 remain active. Active probes are ongoing in 10 cases, while four others are currently suspended.

One inquiry has already resulted in charges — a former Special Forces soldier has been charged with war crime murder, with his trial scheduled for February 2027.

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