Ben Roberts-Smith

Ben Roberts-Smith, a highly decorated former Australian Special Air Service (SAS) soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, has been arrested by Australian Federal Police. He is accused of committing war crimes, specifically five counts of murder, during his service in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012. Roberts-Smith, once considered a national hero with his portrait displayed at the Australian War Memorial, now faces a potentially historic trial. His arrest follows a lengthy investigation into alleged misconduct by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan and comes after he lost a defamation case against journalists who reported on his alleged involvement in the murders of unarmed Afghan men. The case is significant due to the gravity of the accusations and the potential implications for Australia's military reputation and accountability for war crimes.