In 2020, a landmark investigation known as the Brereton Report found “credible evidence” that elite Australian soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan, recommending 19 current or former soldiers be investigated.
Roberts-Smith’s civil trial was the first time in history any court has assessed claims of war crimes by Australian forces.
He argued the alleged killings occurred legally during combat or did not happen at all, and last year lost an appeal against the finding.
In a press conference on Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed a 47-year-old former soldier had been arrested and said he would be charged with shooting dead unarmed detainees while serving in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
“The alleged conduct related to these charges is confined to a very small section of our trusted and respected ADF (Australian Defence Force) which keeps our country safe,” Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.
“The majority of the ADF do our country proud.”
