Former SAS soldier Ben Roberts‑Smith arrested on murder charges

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian Special Air Service soldier and one of the country’s most decorated servicemen, was arrested and charged with multiple counts alleging the murder of unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners. The charges follow years of investigative reporting and a 2023 civil defamation trial that found extensive misconduct and prompted a federal war crimes inquiry. The arrest is unprecedented in Australia and signals that senior military figures can face criminal accountability for battlefield actions. The case will test prosecutors and could reshape military oversight and Australia’s international reputation.