From AFP News Agency.

Former Special Air Service officer Ben Roberts-Smith met Queen Elizabeth II, had his portrait hung at the Australian War Museum, and was even honoured as the nation’s "father of the year".

But the war hero’s reputation was called into question in 2018, when a series of news reports linked him to the alleged murder of unarmed Afghan prisoners by Australian troops.

The 47-year-old, one of Australia’s most-decorated soldiers, has now been charged with five counts of "war crime – murder". Should Roberts-Smith be found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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