Ben Roberts-Smith, widely regarded as Australia’s most decorated living soldier, has been arrested and is expected to face multiple war crimes charges linked to the alleged killing of unarmed civilians during his deployment in Afghanistan.
The 47-year-old former member of the Australian Defence Force was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning, according to the Australian Federal Police.
He is set to be charged with five counts of war crime murder relating to the deaths of five individuals in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Each count carries a potential life sentence.
Roberts-Smith was once celebrated as a national hero, having earned several of Australia’s highest military honours, including the Victoria Cross, for his service across six tours in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012.
According to AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, the victims were allegedly not involved in combat at the time of their deaths. It is claimed they were detained, unarmed, and under the control of ADF personnel when they were killed.
Authorities further allege that the victims were either shot by Roberts-Smith himself or by subordinates acting under his direction and in his presence.
Roberts-Smith has consistently denied all allegations, which first surfaced in 2018. Among the claims are accusations that he killed an unarmed Afghan teenager and ordered the shooting of a detained man after kicking him off a cliff.
He previously challenged the reports in a high-profile defamation case, but in 2023, a Federal Court judge ruled that four out of six murder allegations were substantiated. His final appeal was dismissed by the High Court in September 2025.
A 2020 inquiry uncovered credible evidence that members of Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment were involved in the killing of numerous unarmed detainees during the Afghanistan conflict.
The case has been under investigation since 2021 by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator, which was set up to probe alleged war crimes involving Australian forces.
Ross Barnett, Director of Investigations at the Office of the Special Investigator, noted that the probe has been particularly challenging due to lack of access to crime scenes in Afghanistan.
Authorities have opened 53 investigations into alleged war crimes involving Australian Defence Force personnel, with 10 still ongoing. Another former special forces soldier is expected to stand trial next February.
Barnett added that further charges could follow if additional evidence emerges.
Roberts-Smith is expected to appear before a local court in New South Wales later on Tuesday.
