Federal agents were caught on camera as they navigated the domestic terminal, just before they apprehended the former SAS soldier, Roberts-Smith, following his flight from Brisbane.
Eyewitnesses recounted the scene as Roberts-Smith was taken into custody.
“Our plane stopped, and we noticed two AFP vehicles outside. Shortly after, a man was escorted into one of the cars, with his family trailing behind,” recalled a passenger.
Another witness added, “I just saw the federal police pull over and take the individual, whatever his name is, into their vehicle.”
He continued, “It was quite surprising to witness such a commotion.”
Roberts-Smith has consistently denied any allegations made against him.
The Victoria Cross recipient was charged this afternoon with five counts of war crime – murder:
- The war crime of murder, in that he intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 12 April, 2009, at Kakarak, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 11 September, 2012, at Darwan, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
- The war crime of murder, with another person, in that they intentionally caused the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, in Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
- The war crime of murder, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured another person to intentionally cause the death of a person, on or about 20 October, 2012, at Syahchow, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
The maximum penalty for the offence of war crime – murder is life imprisonment if found guilty
It is the second time the Office of the Special Investigator and AFP has laid war crime murder charges against an ADF member in Australia.
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