Australian soldier accused of war crimes in Afghanistan granted bail

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Victoria Cross-winning soldier, has been granted bail by an Australian court. Photo / Getty Images

An Australian court has granted bail to former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, who is charged with murdering unarmed prisoners captured in Afghanistan.

“I’m satisfied that the proposed conditions will ameliorate the risk of flight and the risk of interfering with witnesses,” Judge Greg Grogin told a Sydney court.

The towering soldier became a household name across Australia when he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2011, a medal reserved for only the most courageous wartime exploits.

But a landmark military report in 2020 revealed grave allegations against Australian troops sent to fight Taliban forces, accusing elite units of torture, summary executions and “body count” competitions.

Roberts-Smith was charged earlier this month with five counts of “war crime - murder”.

Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the 47-year-old was allegedly complicit in a string of unlawful killings between 2009 and 2012.

But today, Judge Grogin said that, if refused bail, Roberts-Smith faced the prospect of “years and years” behind bars before having his day in court.

Should Roberts-Smith be found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

- Agence France-Presse