<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Decorated former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith is expected to face five war crime </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-arrested-suspicion-of-war-crimes/eecd47fa-2781-4337-b032-1c4982c3c91b" rel="" target="_blank" title="charges following a complex, five-year investigation"><span>charges following a complex, five-year investigation</span></a><span> into the deaths of four unarmed Afghan men dating back nearly 20 years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested at Sydney Airport today after arriving on a flight from Brisbane by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers over alleged war crimes committed </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-timeline-after-defamation-loss/f00f56e9-9458-4a86-a1b8-9f9fb8b9de87" rel="" target="_blank" title="during his Afghanistan deployment between 2006 and 2012."><span>during his Afghanistan deployment between 2006 and 2012.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victoria Cross recipient's arrest is the result of a landmark joint AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) investigation into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) that began in 2021.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-arrested-sydney-airport/98c3c4cf-637e-4c23-b1e9-9f21026bac54" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Witnesses describe moment former decorated soldier was arrested at busy airport</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His arrest could kick off the largest and most significant war crime prosecution in Australia's history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The maximum penalty for the offence of war crime - murder is life imprisonment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here is how it all unfolded.</span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-full-timeline-from-war-crime-allegations-to-arrest/95ab7cfb-0bb4-4dc0-ae79-25e2a5552ac0" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2006 - Roberts-Smith is deployed to Afghanistan</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), the first of multiple military postings in the country.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was later awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in Afghanistan in 2006.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The decorated war veteran returned to Afghanistan four more times, in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2009 - Afghan men killed in Kakarak</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith is deployed on an SAS mission in the Uruzgan province of Kakarak in April 2009.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While on this mission, the AFP will allege his actions resulted in two possible crimes:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>The war crime of murder, in that he intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2010 - Heroic actions during battle of Tizak</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for his "most conspicuous gallantry" and "valour" during his fifth tour of Afghanistan in the battle of Tizak on June 11.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-7-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines-australian-fuel-price-and-supply/0d1a8d3f-5731-407e-8e1e-443d7ebbc556" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump takes shot at Australia as Iran openly mocks him</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2011 - Victoria Cross awarded</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2011, he received the Victoria Cross for his heroism the year prior in Tizak.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is the highest military honour that can be awarded in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2012 - Mission in Uruzgan, Afghanistan</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His leadership and courage as a patrol commander on more than 50 high-risk operations is later recognised with a Commendation for Distinguished Service.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2012, Roberts-Smith conducted operations in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. While here, he is expected to be charged with three separate offences:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>The war crime of murder, in that he allegedly aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 11 September, 2012, at Darwan, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.</span></li><li><span>The war crime of murder, with another person, in that they allegedly intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, in Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.</span></li><li><span>The war crime of murder, in that he allegedly aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, at Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2013 - Roberts-Smith retires</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith retires as full-time soldier and forms his consultancy business, RS Group Australia, in 2013.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was named the 2013 Australian Father of the Year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2018 - Newspaper investigation into war crimes</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nine newspapers </span><em><span>The Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span>, </span><em><span>The Age</span></em><span> and </span><em><span>The Canberra Times</span></em><span> publish allegations of war crimes against an anonymous SAS soldier known as "Leonidas" in June 2018.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In August, Roberts-Smith is named in reports after his lawyers unsuccessfully sought an injunction.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith then sued the publishers of </span><em><span>The Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span>, </span><em><span>The Age</span></em><span> and </span><em><span>The Canberra Times</span></em><span> for defamation in the Federal Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nine is the publisher of this website.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2020 - Defamation trial delayed, Brereton reports finds 'credible evidence' of 23 incidents</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Brereton report found credible evidence of 23 incidents in which a total of 39 Afghan nationals were unlawfully killed by Australian special forces.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It identified 25 current or former ADF personnel accused of perpetrating war crimes, with 19 former soldiers to face a criminal investigation. In the public version of the report, the names of all soliders were redacted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, the defamation trial was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2021 - Defamation trial begins</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The defamation trial between Roberts-Smith and media outlets </span><em><span>The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span> and </span><em><span>the Canberra Times</span></em><span> begins in the Federal Court, Sydney, in June 2021.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It takes 110 days in court over 14 months, with 41 witnesses called.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2022 - Trial concludes</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The trial ended on July 27, 2022, with Justice Anthony Besanko reserving his decision as a written judgment to be handed down at a later date.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2023 - Roberts-Smith's defamation claims thrown out</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Justice Besanko dismissed Roberts-Smith's case against Nine, finding that most of the war crimes and bullying allegations against him were substantially true, with a defence of contextual truth accepted in a domestic violence allegation involving an unnamed woman.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The judge found, to the lesser civil standard of defamation law, that Roberts-Smith had killed four unarmed Afghan men and had broken the rules of military engagement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith then filed an appeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2025 - Judge rejects appeal</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The disgraced war hero's final attempt to appeal his defamation loss was thrown out in September 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal were estimated to exceed $30 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>2026 - Roberts-Smith is arrested at Sydney Airport</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney Domestic Airport after he arrived on a flight from Brisbane.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He is expected to be charged with five counts of alleged war crime - murder.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The charges, if proved in a court of law, carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, you can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>