Former Australian Soldier Ben Roberts-Smith Arrested on Afghanistan War Crimes Charges
SYDNEY (Afghan Verified) — Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian Special Air Service soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross for actions in Afghanistan, was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crimes.
The charges relate to the alleged murders of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 and 2012. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated the victims were detained, unarmed and not participating in hostilities when killed by Roberts-Smith or under his command. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Roberts-Smith, 47, is scheduled for a bail hearing following his arrest on April 7, 2026. He has denied the allegations.
The case stems from a 2020 inquiry led by Justice Paul Brereton, which found credible evidence that Australian special forces committed 39 unlawful killings of Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2002 and 2013. Some sources link the charges to incidents in Uruzgan province, including Kakarak in April 2009, Darwan in September 2012 and Siyah Chaw in October 2012.
In 2023, Roberts-Smith lost a civil defamation lawsuit against media outlets, with Australia's Federal Court ruling he was responsible for unlawful killings, a decision upheld on appeal.
Australian authorities have investigated more than 50 alleged war crimes by special forces in Afghanistan.
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Where reports agree
- Ben Roberts-Smith arrested at Sydney Airport on or around April 7, 2026
- Charged with five war crimes/murders of unarmed/non-combatant Afghans 2009-2012
- Victims killed by him or subordinates under his command/presence
- Maximum penalty life imprisonment
- Roberts-Smith denies charges
- Follows 2020 Brereton Report on Australian special forces war crimes
- Court appearance/bail hearing scheduled soon after arrest
Where reports differ
- Exact court date: Tuesday (Afghanistan International, Ariana News) vs Wednesday bail (Al Jazeera, Amu TV) vs later Tuesday (Khaama Press, Pajhwok)
- AFP Commissioner name spelling: Chrissie Burt (Afghanistan International), Krissy Barrett (Al Jazeera, Pajhwok), Chris Barratt (Amu TV)
- Specific incident locations detailed only in Khaama Press (Uruzgan: Kakarak April 2009, Darwan Sept 2012, Siyah Chaw Oct 2012)
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