Reuters —
Australia’s most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to his deployment to Afghanistan more than a decade ago, publicly denied the allegations against him on Sunday and said he was proud of his military service.
Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, who was released on bail this week, is charged with five war crimes for allegedly killing five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has consistently denied the accusations of wrongdoing, many of which were first reported by Nine Entertainment newspaper in a series of articles starting in 2018.
Mr Roberts-Smith told media on Queensland’s Gold Coast that he always operated within the rules of engagement in Afghanistan.
“While I categorically deny all of these allegations and had hoped not to be charged, I intend to use this opportunity to finally clear my name,” he said. “I am proud of my service in Afghanistan.”
After being in custody for more than a week, Roberts-Smith was granted bail after a judge said it was likely to be years before his matter came to court. Prosecutors had opposed bail over concerns that Roberts-Smith might try to contact witnesses.
Police said Roberts-Smith’s victims were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their deaths and would maintain they were restrained, unarmed and in the custody of Australian military personnel at the time of their deaths.
In 2023, Roberts-Smith lost a libel suit over media accusations and was found on the balance of probabilities to have been involved in the murders of four Afghan civilians.
