Ben Roberts-Smith, the most decorated living soldier in Australia, has been charged with five counts of murder related to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, according to the BBC.
The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal and Victoria Cross recipient was taken into custody upon arrival at Sydney airport. The charges follow a lengthy investigation into allegations that he unlawfully killed unarmed Afghan detainees.
Roberts-Smith, who left the Australian Defense Force in 2013, denies all allegations, describing them as false and motivated by personal grievances.
The case follows a high-profile defamation trial in 2023, in which a Federal Court found that claims he committed multiple unlawful killings were substantially true.
His prosecution marks a significant moment for Australia, as it is believed to be the first time a Victoria Cross recipient has been charged with a war crime.
The charges stem from a broader inquiry into alleged misconduct by Australian forces in Afghanistan. A 2020 report found credible evidence that elite soldiers were involved in unlawful killings, leading to multiple investigations.
Legal experts expect the case to take years to reach trial due to its complexity and the volume of evidence involved.
