Australian ex-soldier Roberts-Smith granted bail in Afghanistan war crimes case

An Australian court has granted bail to former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, who faces multiple murder charges linked to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

The 46-year-old, one of Australia’s most decorated veterans, is accused of involvement in the killing of unarmed detainees during deployments between 2009 and 2012.

A judge in Sydney ruled he could be released after 10 days in custody, noting that the complex case could take years to resolve. The hearing was held via video link from prison.

Prosecutors allege Roberts-Smith either directly carried out the killings or ordered subordinates to do so, arguing the seriousness of the charges warranted strict bail conditions.

His defense lawyers countered that prolonged pre-trial detention would be unjustified given the expected length and complexity of proceedings.

If convicted, Roberts-Smith could face life imprisonment. He has denied all allegations. The charges stem from a years-long investigation into alleged misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

A landmark 2020 military report found credible evidence of unlawful killings, abuse and other violations by some forces, triggering widespread scrutiny.

Roberts-Smith, who received the Victoria Cross in 2011 for his service, was once a prominent public figure before investigative reports in 2018 linked him to alleged abuses.

In a separate defamation case in 2023, a judge found many of those allegations to be “substantially true” under a lower civil standard of proof, though criminal proceedings require stronger evidence.

The case is expected to be closely watched as Australia continues to confront allegations tied to its two-decade military involvement in Afghanistan alongside U.S.-led forces.

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