Former Australian soldier charged over alleged war crimes

This is a joint media release between the Office of the Special Investigator and the AFP

A former Australian Defence Force member, 47, has been charged under a joint investigation between the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

The man, who was arrested earlier today (7 April, 2026) at Sydney Domestic Airport, has been charged with five counts of war crime – murder under section 268.70(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

The man has been refused bail to appear in NSW Bail Division Court 7 tomorrow (Wednesday, 8 April 2026).

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In the spirit of reconciliation the Office of the Special Investigator acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.