Image: Al-Quds al-Arabi

Ben Roberts-Smith Arrested for Five War Crime Murder Charges in Afghanistan

07 April, 2026.Crime.13 sources

Key Takeaways

Ben Roberts-Smith, Victoria Cross recipient, was arrested at Sydney Airport.
He faces five counts of murder in Afghanistan.
Joint AFP and Office of the Special Investigator are probing Afghanistan war crimes.

Historic Arrest

Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested and charged with five counts of the war crime of murder.

“Key Posts Ben Roberts-Smith expected to be charged with five counts of alleged war crimes Ben Roberts-Smith arrested Israel expanding ‘security zone’ in southern Lebanon Rowland rules out fuel rationing Canavan calls for oil drilling, Labor says fuel OK into May New statement attributed to Khamenei on intelligence chief’s death Ben Roberts-Smith expected to be charged with five counts of alleged war crimes Ben Roberts-Smith is expected to be charged with five counts of the alleged war crime of murder, the Australian Federal Police say”

AFR

The charges relate to alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

AFR

The victims were alleged to be detained, unarmed, and under the control of ADF members when they were killed.

Roberts-Smith lost a historic defamation trial finding him responsible for four unlawful killings.

Charges Detailed

The five counts stem from incidents at Kakarak, Darwan, and Syahchow in Uruzgan Province.

It is alleged he intentionally caused death and aided others on several occasions.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The charges constitute war crimes under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

The OSI was created following the 2020 Brereton Report.

Political and Public Reaction

Prime Minister Albanese declined to comment on an active legal matter.

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