CANBERRA, April 7 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has been arrested over alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan, federal police said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement that the former Australian Defence Force member, 47, was arrested at Sydney Airport and is expected to be charged with five counts of the war crime of murder.
Local media identified the arrested man as Ben Roberts-Smith, a former special forces soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia – the highest honour in the Australian awards system – for acts of bravery in Afghanistan.
The AFP said the five alleged murders occurred in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA
