Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, has vowed to clear his name following his arrest and charging with war crimes. Roberts-Smith faces five counts of "war crime - murder," accused of complicity in unlawful killings in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
"I categorically deny all of these allegations," Roberts-Smith told reporters, stating he has never "run from a fight." He was granted bail after spending 10 days in custody and expressed pride in his service. The Victoria Cross recipient has consistently maintained his innocence.
Roberts-Smith's reputation was challenged in 2018 by media reports alleging his involvement in the murder of unarmed Afghan prisoners. Previous defamation lawsuits against newspapers that published these claims resulted in a judge finding many allegations "substantially true."