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, said he was proud of my service in Afghanistan, and would use the charges against him as an opportunity to finally clear his name. He emphasized, 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, is accused of being involved in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees, either by killing them or ordering a subordinate to, between 2009 and 2012. A former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, Roberts-Smith remarked that while he would have preferred these charges not to be brought, he will be taking this opportunity to finally clear his name. He reiterated his commitment, stating, I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.
He described his arrest as a sensational and unnecessary spectacle, and refused to take any questions from journalists. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April, and was released from jail on bail shortly thereafter. The presiding judge noted that his case was exceptional and he could potentially spend years in custody awaiting trial if he had not been granted bail.
This criminal case follows a 2023 civil defamation case where a judge found substantial truth to some of the murder claims against him. The high-profile trial was the first time in history any court examined allegations of war crimes by Australian forces. Roberts-Smith contended that the alleged killings occurred legally during combat or did not happen at all, losing an appeal against the Federal Court's finding in 2022. He now faces one charge of murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three for aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring a murder.
Roberts-Smith, 47, is accused of being involved in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees, either by killing them or ordering a subordinate to, between 2009 and 2012. A former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, Roberts-Smith remarked that while he would have preferred these charges not to be brought, he will be taking this opportunity to finally clear his name. He reiterated his commitment, stating, I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.
He described his arrest as a sensational and unnecessary spectacle, and refused to take any questions from journalists. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April, and was released from jail on bail shortly thereafter. The presiding judge noted that his case was exceptional and he could potentially spend years in custody awaiting trial if he had not been granted bail.
This criminal case follows a 2023 civil defamation case where a judge found substantial truth to some of the murder claims against him. The high-profile trial was the first time in history any court examined allegations of war crimes by Australian forces. Roberts-Smith contended that the alleged killings occurred legally during combat or did not happen at all, losing an appeal against the Federal Court's finding in 2022. He now faces one charge of murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three for aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring a murder.
