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Ben Roberts-Smith 'Never Planned' to Flee Overseas

On April 7, 2026, Australian Federal Police arrested former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith at Sydney Airport, charging him with five counts of war crime murder related to alleged executions of detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing Roberts-Smith planned to relocate to Singapore or Spain to avoid trial, citing his vacated Brisbane apartment and inquiries about overseas business opportunities and immigration advice.
Vowing to fight the charges, Roberts-Smith maintains his innocence, while his father, former Western Australia Supreme Court judge Len Roberts-Smith, paid a $250,000 surety securing his release from custody.
Strict bail conditions require Roberts-Smith to surrender his passport and report to police three times each week; Judge Greg Grogin ruled these measures mitigate flight and witness interference risks.
Legal proceedings return to court on June 2, and Judge Susan Horan recently varied bail conditions to permit Roberts-Smith to contact his ex-wife via email regarding their children.

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The Daily Aus

Daily News podcast for young people in Australia

Headlines: Ben Roberts-Smith's bail conditions changed

The Daily Aus discuss the court’s bail variation letting Ben Roberts-Smith contact his ex-wife to arrange custody as he contests war-crimes charges

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The West Australian

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Explosive new twist in Ben Roberts-Smith case

Prosecutors have asked a judge to impose an urgent suppression order over the identities over former SAS soldiers granted immunity to testify in the murder trial of Victoria Cross awardee Ben Roberts-Smith.

8 hours ago·Australia

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The Epoch Times

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Roberts-Smith ‘Never Planned’ to Flee Overseas: Court Document

Ben Roberts-Smith was eyeing business opportunities overseas before his arrest, but his partner says the war veteran always intended to return home if criminal charges were laid. The former Special Air Service (SAS) soldier was arrested on April 7 and charged with murdering or ordering the murders of five unarmed detainees while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Roberts-Smith was released from prison on bail last week after his fath…

13 hours ago·New York, United States

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