Former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith denies committing war crimes in Afghanistan: ‘Proud of my service’

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.(Reuters)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.