Roberts-Smith War Crimes Haul: Five Counts of Murder, McBride Sentenced, and Allegations of Cliff-Kicking Echo Through Online Forums
Former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith faces charges of five war crime murders stemming from his service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Separately, whistleblower David McBride was sentenced in 2024 to five years and eight months for 'unlawfully disclosing Commonwealth documents.'
The discussion pits clear demands for justice against skepticism of the legal process. One side, represented by users like JustSo, labels Roberts-Smith a 'complete ghoul' who must face accountability. Countering this, Blakey suggests past legal defeats stemmed from Roberts-Smith's 'reputation' rather than clear evidence of wrongdoing. OutlierInsight brought severe specific allegations, including reports of ordered shootings to 'blood' rookie soldiers, alongside the detailed incident of a prosthetic leg used as a drinking vessel.
The overwhelming weight of the discussion points to intense conflict: documented war crime charges versus skepticism about the legal system's ability to prove guilt. The fault lines are drawn between those demanding maximal accountability for the alleged murders and those who question the procedural basis of the accusations.
Key Points
Roberts-Smith faces charges for five war crime murders in Afghanistan.
This is the central consensus fact discussed, involving his service between 2009 and 2012.
David McBride was convicted and sentenced in 2024.
Cornishon noted McBride received 5 years and 8 months for disclosing Commonwealth documents.
Some allege extreme brutality in his actions.
Taygaloocat cited specific claims: kicking a handcuffed man off a cliff and ordering shootings to 'blood' rookie soldiers.
Some argue legal failures are based on reputational damage, not evidence.
Blakey suggested past lawsuits failed because Roberts-Smith 'had no good reputation left to ruin.'
Allegations include misconduct with detainees.
Taygaloocat detailed allegations involving a captured Taliban fighter's prosthetic leg being used as a drinking vessel.
Source Discussions (3)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.