Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, was arrested in Sydney and will appear in court Tuesday to face charges of war crimes that took place during the U.S. led war in Afghanistan. 

Roberts-Smith, 47, a Special Air Service corporal who received the Victoria Cross for Australia for “extreme bravery,” is accused of killing at least five unarmed Afghans while serving in the country between 2009 and 2012.

Roberts-Smith denies the changes, calling them “egregious” and “spiteful.”

It is the first time an Australian civil court will consider alleged war crimes by the country’s armed forces.