Deutsche Welle (DW) English Top Stories

**Australia's Most Decorated Soldier Arrested for Afghan War Crimes**

human_rights defense countries
Australian police have arrested Ben Roberts-Smith, a former soldier and national hero, on charges of war crimes. Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest military award, for bravery in Afghanistan. He is now accused of murdering unarmed civilians during his deployment. The arrest follows a landmark investigation into alleged unlawful killings by Australian special forces in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. A separate defamation case previously found allegations against Roberts-Smith to be substantially true. He is expected to face court at a later date. The case has shocked a nation that holds its military veterans in high esteem.