Australian war hero ben roberts-smith arrested over alleged afghan war crimes

Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested at Sydney airport in connection with alleged war crimes committed during his time in afghanistan with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SAS).

Roberts-smith expected to face five counts of murder

According to the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator, Roberts-Smith is expected to be charged with five counts of murder in relation to three incidents in 2009 and 2012.

The maximum penalty for these war crimes is life imprisonment. This development comes after Roberts-Smith previously lost a defamation suit against media outlets that accused him of murdering unarmed civilians in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, has denied any wrongdoing in the alleged incidents.