Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, 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 stated, 'I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life.' The 47-year-old is accused of involvement in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees, either by killing them or ordering a subordinate between 2009 and 2012.
A former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, Roberts-Smith said, 'While I would have preferred these charges not to be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name.' He expressed his pride in his service and confirmed, 'I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.'
Describing his arrest as a 'sensational' and 'unnecessary spectacle', he chose not to engage with journalists. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April and was released from jail on Friday. The presiding judge noted the case was 'exceptional', indicating that without bail, he could spend 'possibly years and years' in custody before the trial.
This criminal case follows a 2023 civil defamation case where a judge found 'substantial truth' to some of the murder claims against him. Roberts-Smith had argued that the alleged killings occurred legally during combat or did not happen at all. He now faces one charge of war crime murder, one for jointly commissioning a murder, and three others related to aiding and abetting murder.
He stated, 'I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life.' The 47-year-old is accused of involvement in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees, either by killing them or ordering a subordinate between 2009 and 2012.
A former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, Roberts-Smith said, 'While I would have preferred these charges not to be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name.' He expressed his pride in his service and confirmed, 'I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.'
Describing his arrest as a 'sensational' and 'unnecessary spectacle', he chose not to engage with journalists. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April and was released from jail on Friday. The presiding judge noted the case was 'exceptional', indicating that without bail, he could spend 'possibly years and years' in custody before the trial.
This criminal case follows a 2023 civil defamation case where a judge found 'substantial truth' to some of the murder claims against him. Roberts-Smith had argued that the alleged killings occurred legally during combat or did not happen at all. He now faces one charge of war crime murder, one for jointly commissioning a murder, and three others related to aiding and abetting murder.
