Decorated Australian Soldier Charged with War Crimes in Afghanistan

Reuters has reported that Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, was arrested on Tuesday at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crimes, including the قتل of civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. The Australian Federal Police stated that the victims were unarmed and under the control of Australian forces at the time of their deaths. Some were allegedly killed directly by Roberts-Smith or under his command and in his presence. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The charges follow media reports published in 2018, which included allegations of shooting an unarmed Afghan teenager and ordering the execution of a detainee after he was thrown from a cliff while handcuffed. Roberts-Smith has consistently denied all allegations. The Office of the Special Investigator and federal police have so far launched 53 investigations into alleged war crimes involving members of Australia’s special forces in Afghanistan, with 10 cases still ongoing. Authorities have indicated that additional individuals may face prosecution if necessary. Roberts-Smith is scheduled to appear before a local court in New South Wales later on Tuesday.