Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has publicly denied all allegations against him in his first statement after being charged with five counts of the war crime of murder last week. The Victoria Cross recipient, released on bail on Friday, stated he was 'proud of my service in Afghanistan' and would use the charges against him as an opportunity to 'finally' clear his name.
He expressed determination, stating, I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life. Roberts-Smith, 47, faces accusations regarding the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees between 2009 and 2012.
The former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment emphasized that he would take this opportunity to clear his name, while reiterating his commitment to his values and engagement rules during his service.
Describing his arrest as a 'sensational' and 'unnecessary spectacle,' he refrained from answering any questions from journalists.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on April 7, and was released from jail on bail shortly after. The presiding judge noted his case's 'exceptional' nature, outlining the possibility of lengthy custody if bail had not been granted.
The charges against him follow a civil defamation case in 2023, where a judge found 'substantial truth' to certain murder claims against him published by Nine newspapers. These allegations are of historic significance as they mark the first time a court has evaluated claims of war crimes involving Australian forces. Roberts-Smith contends that the alleged incidents were either lawful or did not occur, losing an appeal against the Federal Court's findings last year. He now faces charges including one murder count, one of jointly commissioning murder, and three counts of aiding or abetting murder.
He expressed determination, stating, I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life. Roberts-Smith, 47, faces accusations regarding the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees between 2009 and 2012.
The former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment emphasized that he would take this opportunity to clear his name, while reiterating his commitment to his values and engagement rules during his service.
Describing his arrest as a 'sensational' and 'unnecessary spectacle,' he refrained from answering any questions from journalists.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on April 7, and was released from jail on bail shortly after. The presiding judge noted his case's 'exceptional' nature, outlining the possibility of lengthy custody if bail had not been granted.
The charges against him follow a civil defamation case in 2023, where a judge found 'substantial truth' to certain murder claims against him published by Nine newspapers. These allegations are of historic significance as they mark the first time a court has evaluated claims of war crimes involving Australian forces. Roberts-Smith contends that the alleged incidents were either lawful or did not occur, losing an appeal against the Federal Court's findings last year. He now faces charges including one murder count, one of jointly commissioning murder, and three counts of aiding or abetting murder.
