Billionaire Gina Rinehart says ‘I don’t understand’ arrest of Ben Robert-Smith over alleged war crimes
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Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has voiced her support for Ben Roberts-Smith, who was recently arrested and charged with five counts of war crime-murder for alleged offenses in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Rinehart stated she doesn't understand the justification for prosecuting SAS veterans, citing the cost and impact on defense force morale. Her statement joins a wave of support from conservative and right-wing figures, including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who expressed sympathy for special forces soldiers. A petition seeking a pardon for Roberts-Smith has also gained traction. Elon Musk also commented on the arrest, calling it "insane." Roberts-Smith is expected to defend the charges.
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Key Claims (5)
AI-ExtractedMatt Canavan said he feels very uncomfortable passing any judgment on someone that put their life on the line.
Tony Abbott said his “instinctive sympathy” remains with special forces soldiers from the Afghanistan campaign.
A three-year-old petition asking for a pardon for Roberts-Smith garnered thousands of new signatures.
Rinehart says she doesn’t understand the justification for prosecuting Ben Roberts-Smith for alleged war crimes.
Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested in Sydney and charged with five counts of “war crime – murder”.
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