SYDNEY: Australia's most decorated soldier was arrested on Tuesday (Apr 7) and charged with five counts of war crimes relating to the killing of unarmed civilians while on deployment in Afghanistan.Police said a 47-year-old former Australian Defence Force member had been arrested at Sydney Airport. Court reco

Australia's most decorated soldier has been arrested and charged with five counts of war crimes relating to the killing of unarmed ⁠civilians while on deployment in Afghanistan.

Ben Roberts-Smith is a Victoria Cross recipient and had been linked to the murder of unarmed civilians while deployed in Afghanistan.

One of Australia's most-decorated soldiers was arrested Tuesday for allegedly murdering unarmed prisoners while serving in Afghanistan, police and local media said following a sweeping war crimes probe. The Australian Federal Police said they arrested a 47-year-old former Australian soldier, who was widely named in local media as Victoria Cross…

Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett said he was allegedly complicit in a string of unlawful killings between 2009 and 2012.

The former corporal faces one charge of the war crime of murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a murder

A civil court previously found Roberts-Smith had likely killed non-combatants unlawfully, and Australia's highest court last year refused to hear his appeal.

Decorated former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney Airport and is expected to be charged with five counts of murder. The Australian Federal Police allege the victims were unarmed...