Ben Roberts-Smith VC arrested
The Australian Federal Police this morning arrested “a 47-year-old man” at Sydney Airport in relation to five counts of war crime – murder.
CAPTION: Ben Roberts-Smith arrest at Sydney Airport. Supplied by AFP.
The man was arrested earlier today, 7 April 2026, at Sydney Domestic Airport after arriving on a flight from Brisbane.
While the AFP did not (and refused to when asked) name the man arrested, eye-witness photos and.later-released official but face-blurred video, of the man being led away by police clearly indicate it was Ben Roberts-Smith VC.
.
Ben Roberts-Smith is the second SAS soldier charged with war crime – murder, following the arrest of Oliver Schulz in 2023.
Mr Roberts-Smith was formally charged this afternoon with the following offences under section 268.70(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth):
- The war crime of murder, in that he intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan;
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan;
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 11 September, 2012, at Darwan, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan;
- The war crime of murder, with another person, in that they intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, in Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan; and,
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, at Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
He was refused police bail to appear in NSW Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow, Wednesday 8 April 2026.
The joint investigation between the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) and the AFP commenced 53 investigations involving allegations of war crimes by Australian Defence Force members in Afghanistan.
Thirty-nine of these matters are no longer under active investigation, subject to any new evidence emerging.
A further 10 investigations are ongoing.
The Oliver Schulz matter is listed for trial in February 2027 in the NSW Supreme Court.
.
.
If you, or someone you know, need support, you can contact:
-
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
- Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families are able to seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046
- ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.
- Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072. When you call Safe Zone Support, you do not need to identify yourself.
.
.
.
.
As an ex serviceman and as a Australian citizen I find the way the case against BRS extremely disturbing and extremely targeted. What adds to my unease is the apparent deliberate public arrest filmed by the AFP and then released by the AFP to the public. It smacks of more than a bit of glory hunting and indicates a less than unbiased attitude of the AFP! I expect the highest professional conduct from the AFP regarding any arrest let alone a war hero. This very public and orcastratted arrest does not boed well for BRS and certainly places the AFP in a very poor light. To redeem the reputation of the AFP and restore some confidence that the AFP will conduct the BRS case professionally. I would like to see the commander who authorised this public arrest removed from the case and a public appollogy issued about turning this case into a clown show right from its inception!
This is the most denigrating Act that has ever been seen in
this country the biggest single public witch hunt for any military person. Totally disgusted how this was handled by the AFP & the media no wonder no one wants to join up. I hope this man is found innocent.
The truth will eventually come out, until then BRS is innocent until proven guilty. Or are we now living in communism and if so why bother with a trial. If you have not served in the Middle East and worked among the people STFU.
I Stand with BRS!
Another Britney Higgins Saga stupid politicians never learn.
What you say, it is a distraction from fuel crisis and cost of living crisis and America’s dissatisfaction with Albanese and his ministers, who sympathise with terrorists namely, Hamas and Hezbollah.
I feel for those currently in uniform.
This government does not have your back.
Am reminded of
UBIQUE
QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT
Jack
You mean Breaker Morant who shot Dutch priest and others in cold blood while they were prisoners…yeah I guess then they’re the same. At least, he had the defence of being ordered to do so (with some level of explicit/implicit). Supposedly he was scape-goated, notwithstanding duty to disobey unlawful orders and own moral compass and legality…etc
On the other hand, people who say you can’t judge battle decisions from the comforts of an armchair are dishonest twats. This man is being accused of allegedly killing prisoners and farmers after they’ve been taken in and are formally “under control”.
Stuff anyone who dishonours the uniform. Soldiers aren’t perfect, but they shouldn’t be criminals either. No one is above the law and the moral law of do not murder!
Do your research. Morant and Handcock were acquitted of the Heese murder
There is a serious problem when the the enemy gets more consideration and is more important than our own.
No evidence, no “witnesses”, no bodies to autopsy, no proof, no anything except opinions and a degenerate judge who drinks the cool-aid and believes what he wants to believe.
I’ll wager that not one senior officer, not one bureaucrat nor politician gets dragged in front of this search for a scapegoat.
Campbell should be first in line for interrogation.
Our gutless governments should send lawyers, judges, politicians, and especially the media first to any future war zone before any soldiers to ensure the enemy knows what the rules are.
Get a few of those parasites sent back in body bags the, fervor for slaughter will pass.
This is Breaker Morant all over again. BRS is innocent of all charges!!