KABUL: Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian soldier who served in Afghanistan, has been charged with war crimes over the killing of Afghan civilians during his deployment.
According to a report by The Guardian on Thursday evening, Roberts-Smith faces charges related to five murder incidents and did not apply for bail during a recent court hearing.
Prosecutors allege that in April 2009, he murdered a civilian in Kakarak village of Uruzgan province, and ordered a subordinate to carry out another killing. He is also accused of involvement in additional civilian killings in 2012, including directly participating in and ordering subordinates to carry out attacks.
If convicted under Australian law, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, described the case as a difficult moment but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal process.