Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend calls Andrew Hastie a 'traitor' amid war crimes trial
Consensus Summary
Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend Sarah Matulin publicly called former SAS soldier and potential war crimes witness Andrew Hastie a 'traitor' on his Anzac Day Instagram post on April 27, 2026, before deleting the comment. Hastie, a Liberal MP and former SAS captain deployed to Afghanistan, posted a family photo at a dawn service with the caption emphasizing honoring veterans. Matulin later apologized, stating the comment was a mistake and not made with Roberts-Smith’s knowledge. Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most-decorated living soldier, was arrested on April 17 and charged with five counts of war crimes related to alleged executions of Afghan detainees in 2012. He was granted bail on April 26 with strict conditions, including no contact with prosecution witnesses. Hastie testified in Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, where the court ruled the war crimes allegations were true, and may testify in the upcoming criminal trial. The case has sparked intense public and political reactions, with ultra-conservative figures and social media users attacking Hastie for his role as a potential witness. Roberts-Smith attended a dawn service on the Gold Coast on April 27, where he received public support and reiterated his denial of the charges, calling the arrest an 'unnecessary spectacle' and vowing to clear his name.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Sarah Matulin, Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend, commented 'Yeah you’re a traitor' on Andrew Hastie’s Instagram post on April 27, 2026, which was later deleted.
- Andrew Hastie posted an Anzac Day photo on April 26, 2026, captioned: 'Remembering the fallen, honouring our veterans and ADF – a responsibility for all Australians, young and old. Lest We Forget.'
- Sarah Matulin stated via Roberts-Smith’s lawyer Karen Espiner that her comment was 'a mistake to make that comment in a public forum and wasn’t done with Ben’s knowledge.'
- Andrew Hastie served in Afghanistan as a troop commander in the SASR and testified against Roberts-Smith in the 2023 defamation trial, where the court found allegations of war crimes against Roberts-Smith were true.
- Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested on April 17, 2026, and charged with five counts of war crimes (murder) related to alleged executions of Afghan detainees in 2012.
- Roberts-Smith was granted bail on April 26, 2026, with conditions including reporting to police three times a week and not contacting prosecution witnesses.
- Bruce Lehrmann, a disgraced ex-Liberal party staffer, commented on Hastie’s post: 'Your betrayal of BRS… won’t be forgotten.'
- Roberts-Smith attended a beachside dawn service on April 27, 2026, on the Gold Coast, where he was seen wearing his Victoria Cross and other medals.
- Roberts-Smith has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges in court.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Legal experts noted that contacting a criminal witness could be illegal if it obstructs justice, though no suggestion Matulin acted illegally exists yet.
- The Nightly (Perth-based digital newspaper) published an article quoting Professor Gary Edmond, who warned that junior soldiers testifying against Roberts-Smith might be seen as unreliable, but Edmond later clarified that witnesses with criminal involvement could still be credible.
- A section of The Nightly’s article was removed due to potential breach of a non-publication order revealing a witness’s identity.
- The Sunday Telegraph described Matulin as a 'deep and smart thinker' and quoted a source saying she is 'running the strategy to help him say and do all the right things.'
- Roberts-Smith spent 10 days in custody before bail was granted.
- No additional unique details beyond The Age’s coverage.
- Nine Newspapers first reported Matulin’s deleted comment.
- Roberts-Smith said he received 'overwhelming' support at the dawn service and thanked his family and supporters, calling the arrest 'an unnecessary spectacle.'
- Roberts-Smith stated his family 'already suffered' due to the arrest and asked for privacy.
- Hastie testified in the defamation trial that he heard reports of Roberts-Smith kicking a man off a cliff in 2012, violating rules of engagement.
- Roberts-Smith’s statement to media on the Gold Coast included: 'I have never run from a fight in my life. I will never give up, and I will always be in the fight.'
- Hastie released a statement on April 9 urging Australians to respect the rule of law and Roberts-Smith’s right to a fair trial.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age and SMH mention Bruce Lehrmann’s comment as 'your betrayal of BRS… won’t be forgotten,' while NewsCorp’s articles omit the ellipsis and slightly rephrase it as 'Your betrayal of BRS and the ADF won’t be forgotten, hope it was worth it for ministerial promotion.'
- The Age and SMH state Hastie’s Anzac Day post was made on Saturday (April 26), but NewsCorp’s articles do not specify the exact date, only that Matulin commented on it on April 27.
- The Age and SMH describe Hastie’s post as captioned with 'honouring our veterans and ADF' as a 'responsibility for all Australians,' while NewsCorp’s articles include the full caption: 'Remembering the fallen, honouring our veterans and ADF – a responsibility for all Australians, young and old. Lest We Forget.'
Source Articles
Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend calls potential criminal witness and MP a ‘traitor’
Sarah Matulin said the since-deleted comment on an Instagram post by Andrew Hastie – who will potentially testify in Roberts-Smith’s murder trial – was a “mistake”.
Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend calls potential criminal witness and MP a ‘traitor’
Sarah Matulin said the since-deleted comment on an Instagram post by Andrew Hastie – who will potentially testify in Roberts-Smith’s murder trial – was a “mistake”.
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