Ben Roberts-Smith's 'war crimes' trial of the century in Sydney could be shifted to Perth or Adelaide due to Covid lockdowns and closed borders
Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation 'trial of the century' may be forced to move from Sydney to Adelaide or Perth if Covid-19 lockdowns and border restrictions continue. Barrister Bruce McClintock, for Mr Roberts-Smith, raised that possibility during a brief hearing before the Federal Court on Wednesday. Australia's most decorated soldier is suing Nine Newspapers over allegations he committed war crimes including murder while serving with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan. The trial was suspended on June 29 after a month of hearing because of Sydney's COVID-19 lockdown and the inability of interstate witnesses to give evidence. Nine was due to call four Afghan witnesses to give evidence on July 26 over audio/visual link from Kabul through an interpreter based in Ontario, Canada. Mr Roberts-Smith, 42, is suing three newspapers at the Federal Court trial in Sydney over media reports alleging he was involved in war crimes, murders and bullying in Afghanistan The trial