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Ben Roberts-Smith Granted Bail Amid War Crime Charges

4/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Victoria Cross-winning soldier, has been granted bail after five war crime murder charges in Afghanistan, with bail set at $250,000.
The charges allege he killed or ordered killings of unarmed detainees between 2009 and 2012.
Judge Greg Grogan imposed bail conditions, including police reporting and device inspections.
Roberts-Smith denies the allegations, despite a defamation suit with a ruling he was responsible for deaths of unarmed Afghans.

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Story summary

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Victoria Cross-winning soldier, has been granted bail after five war crime murder charges in Afghanistan, with bail set at $250,000.
The charges allege he killed or ordered killings of unarmed detainees between 2009 and 2012.
Judge Greg Grogan imposed bail conditions, including police reporting and device inspections.
Roberts-Smith denies the allegations, despite a defamation suit with a ruling he was responsible for deaths of unarmed Afghans.