We, the undersigned, call for the immediate dropping of all charges and the full release of Australia’s most decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith VC.

On 7 April 2026, former SAS operator and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested and charged with five counts of war crime murder. He now faces the possibility of life imprisonment for carrying out the dangerous and lawful duties that the Australian Government and the nation asked of him during operations in Afghanistan against Taliban insurgents.

Ben Roberts-Smith answered his country’s call with extraordinary courage. He earned the Victoria Cross for his bravery under fire and represents the highest standards of service in the Australian Defence Force. The same institutions that deployed him into one of the most challenging conflict zones now seek to hold him accountable in a way that many veterans and fair-minded Australians view as selective and unfair.

At the same time, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been mentioned 119 times in the latest Epstein files, with references to meetings and invitations linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Despite these mentions, there have been no raids, no formal investigation, and no charges brought forward.

This stark contrast raises serious questions about consistency and fairness in how accountability is applied — particularly toward those who served on the front lines versus those in positions of political power.

We believe:

Veterans who risked their lives in combat deserve fair treatment and due process that truly reflects the realities of war.

Armchair critics, investigators, and commentators who have never experienced combat lack the lived experience to fully judge the actions of those who did.

Australia must honour its heroes rather than subject them to prolonged legal persecution that undermines morale in the veteran community.

We respectfully urge the Attorney-General of Australia, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Australian Federal Police, and the Office of the Special Investigator to immediately drop all charges against Ben Roberts-Smith and secure his full release without further delay.

Sign this petition to show your support for justice, fairness, and proper recognition of the sacrifices made by our service members.

Release Ben Roberts-Smith Now

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