‘Principled’: AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett defends Ben Roberts-Smith arrest
The Australian Federal Police turned down former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith’s offer to surrender over allegations of war crime-related murder because it was determined to be “unviable”, Australia’s top cop has revealed.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett struck a defiant tone at a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday as backlash over Mr Roberts-Smith’s arrest continued to mount.
“In essence, the AFP and OSI (Office of Special Investigations) made principled and legally sound decisions during this investigation, consistent with legislation and management,” he said.
“We swear to perform our duties faithfully and diligently, without fear, favor, love and ill will.
“This is an extremely important point for the Australian public to know.
“The AFP will determine cases based on the evidence before us, not because of any individual’s name, reputation or background.”
Ms Barrett was due to face questions from Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash, who sought to question officials over their handling of Mr Roberts-Smith’s case during Senate estimates hearings.
But in a lengthy speech, Ms Barrett outlined much of the decision-making behind Mr Roberts-Smith’s arrest at Sydney Airport in April.
“The decision was made to detain the individual at Sydney Domestic Airport for a number of operational reasons, including the fact that airports are sterile environments, meaning people are being screened. Additionally, the area has been brought under control, meaning it is safer for our members and the public to take action,” he said.
Ms Barrett also said investigators believed Mr Roberts-Smith had “no known fixed abode” and was planning to move abroad.
“The reason the individual was arrested in Sydney and not Brisbane was an operational decision determined after consultation with relevant partners,” he said.
“But I will say that media speculation about why he was arrested in NSW due to Queensland is wrong.
“We were aware that the individual would be traveling with family. Therefore, OSI members were dispatched to the airport to assist those family members.”
As for reports that Mr Robert-Smith had offered to surrender, Ms Barrett said that option was “impractical”.
“For a number of reasons, including the seriousness of the charges, which include five counts of war crime murder and carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, this was determined to be an unsustainable option,” he said.
Ms Barrett said although there was no allegation that the AFP had provided information to journalists, it would be referred “in an abundance of caution” to the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
“I want to be very clear, and this is really important: If a person’s arrest date or other sensitive information is disclosed to anyone in the media, that could be an unauthorized disclosure, and in my view, anyone who discloses that information should face the consequences,” he said.
Mr Roberts-Smith was granted strict conditional bail earlier this year and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
He has not entered a plea and his matter is pending in court.
