Once seen as a war hero, Australian ex-soldier will stand trial for alleged war crimes

Former Australian Special Air Service (SAS) corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, once hailed as a national war hero, will face trial for alleged war crimes in the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, with proceedings scheduled to begin in the coming months. This dramatic development follows years of investigations into his conduct during multiple deployments to Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012, prompted by allegations of unlawful killings and misconduct by Australian special forces. The case represents a pivotal moment for Australia's military and legal systems, stemming from the landmark Brereton Report—a four-year inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force. That report found credible evidence of 39 unlawful killings by Australian special forces in Afghanistan and recommended 19 individuals be referred for potential criminal investigation. Roberts-Smith, a recipient of the Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry, is the most prominent figure to emerge from these investigations, with allegations including the murder of unarmed prisoners and civilians. Roberts-Smith has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence and portraying himself as the target of a malicious campaign by jealous colleagues. His defamation lawsuit against three Australian newspapers, which first published the allegations, ironically paved the way for this criminal trial after a judge found the publications had established substantial truth in their reporting. The trial will examine specific incidents, including a 2012 mission where Roberts-Smith is alleged to have kicked a handcuffed Afghan farmer off a cliff before ordering subordinates to shoot him. The proceedings will be closely watched internationally as a test case for accountability in Western military interventions. Legal experts note the case's complexity, involving classified operational details, witness testimony from fellow soldiers, and forensic evidence from conflict zones. Regardless of the verdict, the trial marks a profound fall from grace for a soldier whose image was once used in military recruitment campaigns and who was celebrated as the embodiment of Australian military valor.