Former Aus soldier to remain in jail after being charged w/ Afghan war crimes

Australia's most decorated living soldier will remain behind bars after his legal team did not seek bail following his arrest over multiple alleged war crimes, local media reported on Wednesday.



Police on Tuesday arrested and charged Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, with five counts of war crimes in connection with the murder of five civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in jail.



He was refused bail and taken to Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney's west where he stayed overnight.



Roberts-Smith did not appear via video link at his subsequent bail hearing on Wednesday morning, local media reported.



His lawyer, Jordan Portokalli, told the court there would be no application made for his release from custody, and instead sought an in-person hearing for later in the day.



Judge Lucas Swan ordered the case to be mentioned again on June 4, meaning Roberts-Smith would remain in jail until that date if his legal team is unable to secure an earlier hearing.