00:38Good afternoon.
00:39A former Australian Defence Force member has today been arrested and will be charged
00:44with five counts of war crime murder after a joint investigation between the Office of
00:50the Special Investigator and the AFP.
00:53The former soldier was arrested at Sydney's domestic airport this morning and is expected
00:59to face a New South Wales court later today.
01:02It will be alleged the man was a member of the ADF when he was involved in the death of
01:08Afghan nationals between 2009 and 2012 in circumstances that constitute war crimes under the Commonwealth
01:16Criminal Code.
01:18The offence of war crime murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
01:24It will be alleged the victims were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their alleged
01:30murder in Afghanistan.
01:32It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed and were under the control of ADF members
01:39when they were killed.
01:41It will be alleged the victims were shot by the accused or shot by subordinate members
01:48of the ADF in the presence of and acting on the orders of the accused.
01:54The alleged conduct related to these charges is confined to a very small section of our trusted
02:01ADF and respected ADF, which helps keep this country safe.
02:06The overwhelming majority of our ADF do our country proud.
02:12Today's charges are not reflective of the majority members who serve under our Australian flag with
02:18honour, with distinction and with the values of a democratic nation.
02:25Corporal Ben Roberts, let me go next to you.
02:31It's pretty nice to see you again.
02:34I actually, I didn't know how to do anything here.
Comments