Ben Roberts-Smith received a medal
Photo: Rick Rycroft/AP/TT

Ben Roberts-Smith received a medal for courage - accused of war crimes

He has been described as Australia's most decorated living war veteran. Now, Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested in Sydney and charged with five counts of war crimes.

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The 47-year-old was part of the country's special forces and served in Afghanistan during the war. Between 2009 and 2012, he is suspected of killing or being involved in the murders of five detained and unarmed Afghans who were "not involved in the fighting," according to Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

Roberts-Smith is accused, among other things, of shooting an unarmed teenager, according to media reports.

The allegations first emerged in a series of review articles in 2018, which gave rise to an extensive investigation.

Roberts-Smith denies the allegations and has sued several newspapers for defamation.

In this story
AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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