Australia’s Most-Decorated Soldier Vows to ‘Fight’ War Crime Charges

Ben Roberts-Smith, the nation’s most honored living military veteran, has publicly rejected all allegations in his initial statement following charges of five war crime-related murder counts last week. The Victoria Cross recipient, who was released on bail on Friday, expressed pride in his service in Afghanistan and pledged to use the legal proceedings to “finally” establish his innocence.

“I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life.”

Accused of involvement in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees between 2009 and 2012, either directly or through orders to a subordinate, Roberts-Smith, 47, emphasized his adherence to military values and rules of engagement during his time in the conflict. He criticized the arrest as a “sensational” and “unnecessary spectacle,” declining to answer journalists’ questions at the time of his release.

Roberts-Smith’s arrest occurred at Sydney airport on 7 April, and the presiding judge highlighted the “exceptional” nature of the case, suggesting he could face years of detention before trial if bail is not granted. The criminal charges follow a 2023 civil defamation trial, where a judge ruled that some murder claims against him had “substantial truth.”

Brought by Roberts-Smith against Nine newspapers, the landmark civil case marked the first time a court examined war crime allegations involving Australian forces. The former SAS corporal argued the alleged killings were lawful during combat or did not occur at all, but lost an appeal against a Federal Court finding. Now, he faces one murder charge, one for joint commissioning, and three for aiding, abetting, counseling, or procuring a murder.