Former Australian soldier speaks out against allegations of Afghan war crimes

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. Read: Australia refinery fire worsens fuel supply crunch amid US-Israel war on Iran "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," he added. 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.