Australian soldier arrested and charged for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Australian – (Web Desk) – One of Australia’s most celebrated soldiers was arrested this week. He is accused of murdering unarmed prisoners during his time serving in Afghanistan. Police confirmed the arrest after a long running war crimes investigation.

The Australian Federal Police arrested a 47 year old former soldier. Local media widely identified him as Ben Roberts Smith. He is a recipient of the Victoria Cross, which is Australia’s highest military honour.

Police commissioner Krissy Barrett spoke to reporters about the case. She said the victims were not fighting or posing any threat when they were killed. She added that the accused either pulled the trigger himself or ordered others to do it. He now faces five counts of war crime murder.

Roberts Smith was once seen as Australia’s greatest living war hero. That image began to fall apart in 2018. Two newspapers published reports linking him to the killing of unarmed Afghan prisoners. He strongly denied everything and took the newspapers to court in a costly legal battle.

He had met Queen Elizabeth II. His photo hung inside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. But behind that celebrated image, reporters uncovered deeply troubling allegations.

He was accused of kicking an unarmed Afghan man off a cliff and ordering soldiers to shoot him. There were also claims he took part in killing a man with a prosthetic leg. According to reports, that prosthetic limb was later used as a drinking vessel by soldiers.

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Australia sent around 39,000 troops to Afghanistan over twenty years. When they came home, serious questions followed. A military report in 2020 found that special forces soldiers had unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners. The findings revealed shocking allegations including executions, torture and even competitions over body counts.

The government eventually appointed a special investigator to look into possible criminal charges against current and former soldiers.