What’s Holding Up the Roberts-Smith War Crimes Trial? Classified Evidence

Over 200 court orders have been issued concerning the handling of classified material for Ben Roberts-Smith’s trial. Roberts-Smith faces charges of murdering unarmed detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. The classified nature of these operations has significantly delayed the criminal proceedings, with concerns raised about potential prejudice to national security.

• Over 200 court orders have been made regarding the handling of classified material for Ben Roberts-Smith’s trial.
• Roberts-Smith is accused of murdering or ordering the murders of five unarmed detainees in Afghanistan.
• The trial, which began in April, has been delayed due to the classified nature of operations in Afghanistan.
• Applications for 206 court orders under the National Security Information Act were submitted concerning the disclosure, storage, protection, handling, and destruction of classified material.
• There is a risk of prejudice to national security related to the classified evidence.