(Corrects day to Sunday in first paragraph)
SYDNEY, April 19 (Reuters) – Australia’s most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to Afghanistan deployments more than a decade ago, on Sunday publicly denied the allegations against him and said he was proud of his service.
Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, freed this week on bail, is charged with five counts of war crimes over the alleged murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum jail term of life.
The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has consistently denied the accusations of wrongdoing, many first reported by Nine Entertainment newspapers in a series of articles starting in 2018.
Speaking to the media on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Roberts-Smith said he always acted within the rules of engagement in Afghanistan.
“I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name,” he said. “I’m proud of my service in Afghanistan.”
After more than a week in custody, Roberts-Smith was granted bail after a judge said his matter would likely take years to get to court. Prosecutors had opposed bail on fears Roberts-Smith might try to contact witnesses.
Police have said they will allege Roberts-Smith’s victims were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their deaths and were detained, unarmed and under the control of Australian forces when killed.
In 2023, Roberts-Smith lost a defamation suit over the media accusations and was found on the balance of probabilities to have been involved in the murder of four Afghan civilians.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)