Australian military

Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial hears conflicting evidence over Afghan deaths

Troops who were present at Whiskey 108 compound split over whether two men shot dead were murdered or were insurgents killed lawfully

Ben Doherty

18, May, 2022 @10:34 AM

Witness first heard allegations Ben Roberts-Smith kicked unarmed Afghan off cliff in 2017 interview, court hears

Former SAS soldier tells defamation trial he first heard allegation at interview with inspector general of Australian defence force

Ben Doherty

16, May, 2022 @8:46 AM

It’s unprecedented for Dutton to label a Chinese spy ship sailing outside Australia’s territory an ‘act of aggression’ | Daniel Hurst

International law experts say ‘this is not an act of aggression and is in fact fairly standard activity for navies’

Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

13, May, 2022 @12:19 PM

Woman who says Ben Roberts-Smith punched her sustained an injury in a fall earlier on same night, defamation trial hears

Person 17 does not contest she fell down stairs, but in evidence given to defamation trial in March says Roberts-Smith punched her later that night, a claim Roberts-Smith denies

Ben Doherty

13, May, 2022 @4:57 AM

Captive Afghan teenage boy allegedly shot in the head, Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial hears

Former comrade called as witness by Roberts-Smith denies seeing teen alive or recognising photo of dead body

Ben Doherty

12, May, 2022 @5:34 AM

Ben Roberts-Smith: SAS soldier tells defamation trial he refused to be interviewed by AFP about Afghanistan

Witness denies assertions from newspapers that he was motivated to lie to derail an investigation into possible war crimes

Ben Doherty

11, May, 2022 @10:29 PM

SAS soldier tells Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial he felt hurt by best man who made murder allegation against him

Former comrade denies in court that he and Roberts-Smith killed handcuffed Afghan man Ali Jan as alleged by newspapers in their defence

Ben Doherty

11, May, 2022 @5:31 AM

SAS soldier tells Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial Afghan killed in Darwan was an insurgent spotter

Person 11, called as a witness by Roberts-Smith, tells court Ali Jan a threat to Australian troops and legitimately killed

Ben Doherty

10, May, 2022 @4:59 AM

Peter Dutton’s department confirms defence minister has six Brereton oversight reports

But despite being in role for 13 months, Dutton has never spoken in parliament about reforms stemming from alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan

Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

09, May, 2022 @5:30 PM

SAS soldiers told commander that Ben Roberts-Smith not ‘fit and proper person’ to receive Victoria Cross, defamation trial hears

Serving SAS major, called as witness by Roberts-Smith, tells court two groups of colleagues raised concerns about awarding of medal, but did not allege war crimes

Ben Doherty

09, May, 2022 @5:25 AM