War Hero Charged with War Crimes, Seeks Public Funding

0:00Ben Robert Smith, the former SAS Corporal, is now charged with five counts of war crime murder for allegedly killing unarmed detainees in Afghanistan, between 2009 and 2012. He got arrested last Tuesday at Sydney Airport after a joint pro by the Office of the Special Investigator and Australian Federal Police. Facing life in prison if convicted, he's pushing for public money to fund his defense. He's applied to the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme, run by the Attorney General's Department, which helps current or ex-defense force. Members tangled in these Afghanistan cases. Approvals not in yet, but the scheme covers legal fees, admin, and travel at capped rates, like up to $3,000 a day for top solicitors. Earlier this week, the news hit hard for many who saw him as a war hero, Victoria Cross when our turned media figure. But these charges flipped that script, spotlighting ugly allegations from deployments, where rules of engagement got questioned big time.

1:00Meanwhile, he's got a bail hearing set for Friday at Sydney's Downing Center local court. Three counts involve aiding or abetting the murders. One straight up murder and one joint commission. All needing a jury trial. As this legal battle ramps up, it'll test the system's support for vets in the hot seat, with Robert Smith fighting not just the charges, but the funding fight to mount his case. That's your update from Sydney News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.