Robbie Thorpe Loses Appeal in Genocide Case Against King Charles III
An Australian court rejects Robbie Thorpe's appeal in his genocide case against King Charles III, but his legal fight may not be over.
Robbie Thorpe, a Krautatungalung elder and Aboriginal activist, has lost his latest legal challenge in an attempt to prosecute King Charles III for genocide against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. The case was rejected by Victoria's Court of Appeal, marking Thorpe's third legal defeat since beginning the pursuit in 2023.
The appeals court rejected Thorpe's application to appeal a previous ruling, which found that his charges did not disclose an offence recognized under Victorian law. Thorpe alleges that King Charles III, the Australian government, and its institutions are perpetuating genocide by maintaining systems that disadvantage Indigenous people across multiple socioeconomic measures.
The court's decision did not determine the truth of these allegations, but rather focused on the legal basis of Thorpe's proposed prosecution. Thorpe has argued that Australia remains responsible for systems and policies that contribute to the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians. The case has been complicated by legal immunity attached to the British monarch, which could further hinder any attempt to prosecute King Charles III through Australian courts.
Thorpe intends to pursue the matter internationally, including at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
