English transcript

Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Robert Smith, was arrested Tuesday over

the killing of unarmed civilians while deployed in Afghanistan.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Chrissie Barrett confirmed the arrest.

Good afternoon.

A former Australian Defence Force member has today been arrested and will be charged

with five counts of war crime murder after a joint investigation between the Office of

the Special Investigator and the AFP.

Police said the 47-year-old former ADF member was arrested at Sydney Airport and would appear

at a New South Wales court later the same day.

It will be alleged the man was a member of the ADF when he was involved in the death

of Afghan nationals between 2009 and 2012 in circumstances that constitute war crimes

under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

Barrett said the victims were unarmed and under Australian military control.

It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed, and were under the control of ADF

members when they were killed.

It will be alleged the victims were shot by the accused or shot by subordinate members

of the ADF in the presence of and acting on the orders of the accused.

Robert Smith was once hailed as a national hero and awarded the Victoria Cross for his

actions during six tours of Afghanistan.

He has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Allegations first reported in 2018 led to Australia's most expensive defamation trial,

which he lost.

The charges follow years-long investigations into alleged war crimes by Australian special

forces in Afghanistan.

Police stressed the charges do not reflect the broader Australian military.

The alleged conduct related to these charges is confined to a very small section of our

trusted and respected ADF, which helps keep this country safe.