Former Australian Special Air Service (SAS) soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been formally charged with five counts of alleged war crime murder following his arrest at Sydney Airport.

According to 9News, Roberts-Smith, 47, was taken into custody shortly after arriving on a flight from Brisbane and is expected to appear in court after spending the night in police custody. Authorities allege that the offences relate to incidents that occurred in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated that the charges include both direct involvement in the killings and allegations that he aided, ordered, or facilitated others to commit the crimes. According to 9News, the victims are believed to have been unarmed and not actively participating in hostilities at the time of their deaths.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed that the case follows a joint investigation between the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, which began in 2021. She noted that the probe has been complex due to limited access to witnesses and crime scenes in Afghanistan, which remains under Taliban control, as reported by 9News.

Roberts-Smith, once regarded as Australia’s most decorated living soldier, was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2011 for his service in Afghanistan. However, his reputation has been under scrutiny in recent years. In 2023, he lost a high-profile defamation case against Australian media outlets after a court found, on a civil standard, that he was involved in unlawful killings, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite the allegations, Roberts-Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his military career. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Australian law.

Authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward, while also emphasising that the case should not reflect on the broader conduct of the Australian Defence Force, which they say largely operates with professionalism and integrity.