Arrest comes after Roberts-Smith misplaced case towards journalists who stated he was concerned in murders of unarmed Afghan males.
Printed On 7 Apr 2026
Former Australian particular forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested at Sydney airport and is predicted to face prices for alleged conflict crimes dedicated in Afghanistan, in response to the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).
The 47-year-old was anticipated to seem in a court docket in New South Wales in a while Tuesday over 5 counts of the conflict crime of homicide, associated to unarmed Afghan nationals who “weren’t collaborating in hostilities on the time of their alleged homicide”, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed reporters in Sydney on Tuesday, in response to the ABC.
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Barrett stated the costs adopted a “advanced” investigation by the AFP information company and the Workplace of the Particular Investigator (OSI) relationship again to 2021.
The arrest comes after Roberts-Smith lost defamation proceedings he introduced towards journalists who had reported he was “complicit in and chargeable for the homicide” of three Afghan males.
An Australian choose present in 2023 that these journalists had not defamed Roberts-Smith, a ruling that was upheld by the Full Courtroom of the Federal Courtroom of Australia in Might final yr.
Rawan Arraf, the chief director of the Australian Centre for Worldwide Justice, stated the arrest was a “vital and long-awaited step for victims and affected communities” in Afghanistan, the place Roberts-Smith was deployed a number of occasions.
“The right investigation and prosecution of alleged conflict crimes by members of the Australian particular forces in Afghanistan are important to making sure justice for Afghan victims and to Australia assembly its obligations below worldwide regulation,” Arraf stated in a press release.
About 39,000 Australian troopers have been deployed to Afghanistan as a part of the US and NATO-led operations towards the Taliban and different armed teams over 20 years.
Roberts-Smith’s case has drawn appreciable scrutiny in Australia, together with as a result of previous to the costs, he had acquired the Victoria Cross medal for his fifth tour of Afghanistan, and was reportedly the most-decorated residing Australian conflict veteran.
In the meantime, former Australian military lawyer David McBride stays imprisoned in Australia over his position in revealing information about alleged Australian conflict crimes in Afghanistan.
Australian Senator David Shoebridge responded to the information of Roberts-Smith’s arrest by saying “Launch David McBride” in a brief put up on X.
