What’s Holding Up the Roberts-Smith War Crimes Trial? Classified Evidence
The classified nature of operations in Afghanistan has delayed the criminal proceedings, which inched forward at the Downing Centre Local Court.
TL;DR
- 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.