Why was Ben Roberts-Smith arrested?

Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport in relation to alleged war crimes, including the murder of unarmed civilians in Afghanistan.

What were the findings of the defamation trial against Roberts-Smith?

In a defamation trial, a judge found to the civil standard of the balance of probabilities that Ben Roberts-Smith committed four murders while serving in the Australian military.

What is Ben Roberts-Smith's military distinction?

Ben Roberts-Smith is a former soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, and was once Australia's most decorated Afghanistan veteran.

Home / War and Conflict / Victoria Cross Winner Arrested for War Crimes Allegations

Victoria Cross Winner Arrested for War Crimes Allegations

7 Apr

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Summary

Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport.
He faced allegations of murdering unarmed civilians in Afghanistan.
A judge found he committed four murders on the balance of probabilities.

Victoria Cross Winner Arrested for War Crimes Allegations

Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, a recipient of the Victoria Cross, was arrested at Sydney airport. This detention relates to alleged war crimes committed during his service.

Roberts-Smith had previously been accused in a defamation suit of murdering unarmed civilians while serving with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan. He had sued newspapers over these allegations but ultimately lost the case.

A judge determined, based on the balance of probabilities, that Roberts-Smith was responsible for four murders. His subsequent appeals to the federal court and a refusal from the high court to hear further appeals concluded this legal process.

Guardian Australia has contacted government offices regarding this development.

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