Ben Roberts-Smith to Stay in Custody Following War Crimes Allegations
Australian federal police arrested Ben Roberts-Smith, a former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, at Sydney airport on Tuesday over alleged war crimes. He did not apply for bail on Wednesday after spending the night in jail at Sydney's Silverwater correctional centre.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Roberts-Smith faces five counts of war crime – murder related to alleged offences in Afghanistan between April 2009 and October 2012. He was expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday but did not appear at a virtual bail hearing in the New South Wales local court.
His legal representative, Jordan Portokalli, stated that no bail application would be made on Wednesday and requested the matter be listed for mention at the Downing Centre local court in Sydney as soon as possible. Portokalli asked Judge Lucas Swan to consider listing the matter on Wednesday but acknowledged this might be unrealistic.
Delayed Hearing and Remand
Judge Swan agreed, noting he did not have access to the court's diary, and ordered the matter be listed for a brief mention at the Downing Centre on June 4, which is eight weeks away. Both Portokalli and the prosecution did not object to this date.
If Roberts-Smith's legal team cannot arrange an earlier hearing directly through the local court, the former soldier will remain on remand until then. Roberts-Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to these allegations.
The case highlights ongoing investigations into war crimes involving Australian forces in Afghanistan, with Roberts-Smith being one of the most high-profile figures charged. His status as a decorated veteran adds complexity to the proceedings, drawing significant public and media attention.
Authorities continue to gather evidence and prepare for the upcoming court dates, while Roberts-Smith's defence team works on legal strategies. The delay in the bail hearing underscores the procedural challenges in such high-stakes cases.
