Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, will remain in custody after his legal team opted not to apply for bail during a brief hearing on Wednesday. The former SAS corporal and Victoria Cross recipient was charged with five counts of war crime murder relating to alleged incidents in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning and spent the night at Silverwater Correctional Centre. He did not appear at the virtual hearing at New South Wales Local Court, with his lawyer Jordan Portokalli stating no bail application would be made at this stage.
Magistrate Lucas Swan initially set the next hearing for 4 June, but later listed a bail review for 17 April at Downing Centre Local Court. Roberts-Smith will appear via video link on that date.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Australian Federal Police into alleged war crimes committed by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. Roberts-Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
