Victoria Cross

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian soldier and the country's most decorated living veteran, has been arrested and is expected to be charged with five counts of war crime – murder. These charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred during his service in Afghanistan. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) announced the details of the investigation. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport and did not apply for bail after spending a night in jail. This arrest is newsworthy due to the high profile of Roberts-Smith and the gravity of the war crime allegations. The case is significant as it represents ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged misconduct by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, holding individuals accountable for potential breaches of international law and military ethics.