10 minutes agoFormer Australian soldier arrested under war crimes suspicion in Afghanistan
Periskopi(3 months ago)
(3 months ago)A former Australian soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and is expected to be charged with five counts of war crimes committed in Afghanistan, federal police said. The 47-year-old man is expected to be charged with five counts of murder in the Urusgan province between 2009 and 2012, Special Investigator Office (OSI) and Australian Federal Police said in [...]
The 47-year-old man is expected to be charged with five counts of murder in the Urusgan province between 2009 and 2012, the Special Investigators Office (OSI) and the Australian Federal Police said in a joint statement.
Although the former soldier's name was not mentioned in the statement, some media reports identified him as Ben Roberts-Smith, one of Australia's most decorated soldiers, reports AA, broadcast. Periscope.
If convicted, the maximum penalty for war crimes of murder is life imprisonment.
The statement said 53 alleged war crimes investigations by members of the Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan have been opened, with 39 being no longer active.
At least 14 investigations remain active, made up of 10 ongoing and four pending investigations.
An investigation has led to the prosecution of former Special Forces soldier for war crimes committed, with the trial scheduled for February 2027. /Periscope/
