Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most-decorated living soldier, appeared in a Sydney courtroom via video link on Friday to face war crimes charges for the first time.The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has been charged with five counts of murder allegedly committed during his deployment in Afghanistan.Court documents detail serious allegations including the murder of a disabled Afghan detainee, the killing of a handcuffed prisoner by being kicked off a cliff, ordering executions of detainees as part of an initiation practice called "blooding," and planting evidence to cover up misconduct.Roberts-Smith, aged 47, denies all the claims.His lawyer described the case as... [Continue Reading]
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, has been granted bail after being charged with five counts of murder related to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.The 47-year-old former corporal in the Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment was arrested last week at Sydney Domestic Airport and has spent over ten nights in custody at Silverwater Prison in Sydney.The charges allege Roberts-Smith was involved in the unlawful killings of several unarmed Afghan detainees between 2009 and 2012, either by personally killing them or ordering subordinates to do so.He denies all allegations.Judge Greg Grogin granted bail under strict conditions, noting the case... [Continue Reading]