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Australia has officially arrested one of the country’s most decorated soldiers on war crime-related charges.

Getting into it: Australian authorities confirmed the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient and ex–Special Air Service (SAS) corporal, who has been charged with five counts of war crime murder. The charges allege that between 2009 and 2012, while deployed in Afghanistan, he was involved in the unlawful killings of five unarmed Afghan civilians who were not taking part in hostilities and were under the control of Australian forces at the time.

Prosecutors allege that Roberts-Smith was personally involved in the killings or directed other soldiers to carry them out while he was present. The incidents occurred in multiple locations, including Kakarak (Uruzgan Province) in 2009 and the villages of Darwan and Syahchow in 2012. In one allegation, he is accused of playing a role in the killing of a detainee, while other charges claim he was directly responsible for or oversaw the deaths of civilians.

The charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation launched in 2021 by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI). Investigators have noted how difficult the case has been, pointing out that they could not visit the alleged locations in Afghanistan or collect physical evidence, meaning much of the case relies on witness accounts and material gathered over time.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for each of the five counts of war crime murder.

Notably, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to comment directly on the case, stating it would be inappropriate to engage politically in a matter that is now before the courts.