Ben Roberts-Smith Granted Bail in High-Profile Afghan War Crimes Case
Ben Roberts-Smith Granted Bail in High-Profile Afghan War Crimes Case
Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, is granted bail on five murder charges tied to Afghan deaths, as his legal team warns of delays.
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, was granted bail after being charged with five counts of war crime murder linked to Afghan detainees between 2009 and 2012. The Victoria Cross recipient, a former SAS corporal, was taken into custody last week and appeared via video link while dressed in prison greens. The judge noted the case is exceptional and warned the path to a trial could be long, potentially spanning years before a verdict is reached. He ordered Roberts-Smith to report to police three times a week, allowed access to electronic devices under supervision, and forfeited his passport, along with a travel ban within Australia. A bail surety of A$250,000 was posted, underscoring the high-profile nature of the proceedings. If bail conditions are breached, the judge warned that Roberts-Smith would be arrested swiftly and returned to custody.
