Ben Roberts-Smith Denies War Crime Allegations in First Public Statement
Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Victoria Cross recipient, has publicly denied five charges of war crime murder, allegedly committed during his service with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan. In his first comments since his arrest on April 7, Roberts-Smith spoke to media from the Gold Coast, where he is on bail ahead of a potential trial.
The charges relate to the alleged killings of five unarmed civilians, including a father and son named Mohammad Essa and Ahmadullah, a farmer named Ali Jan, and two prisoners referred to in court documents as "person under control" one and two. Roberts-Smith is accused of either committing, directing, or facilitating these murders while serving in Afghanistan.
Allegations and Court Documents
According to a statement of facts tendered to the New South Wales local court, the alleged murders share common themes. Each victim was reportedly unarmed and in locations where insurgents could reasonably be suspected. The document claims evidence was planted or falsely associated with the deceased to justify the killings as within lawful rules of engagement.
Additionally, the statement alleges that each victim was handcuffed, detained, and questioned before execution, with no active engagement with enemy forces at the time. The Australian Defence Force is said to have had control of the environment during these incidents.
Witness Accounts and Prosecution Case
Three soldiers, who were allegedly under Roberts-Smith's command, have been identified as witnesses in the prosecution's case. Court documents state that these individuals have admitted to their involvement in executing detainees at Roberts-Smith's direction or with his complicity. They have provided written accounts detailing other murders they witnessed, though these allegations have not been tested in court.
Roberts-Smith addressed these claims, stating, "For the past 10 years, my family and I have been subject to a campaign to convince Australians that I've acted improperly in my service in Afghanistan. As I've always maintained: I categorically deny all of these allegations."
Roberts-Smith's Response and Family Impact
Expressing pride in his service, Roberts-Smith emphasized that he always acted within his values, training, and the rules of engagement. He also praised his fellow servicemen and women, acknowledging their sacrifice and friendship.
He thanked his partner, Sarah Matulin, her family, his daughters, and his parents for their support during this difficult time. However, he criticized the public nature of his arrest, which occurred while he was holidaying with his family, urging media to respect their privacy, especially for his children.
Roberts-Smith concluded by thanking supporters and vowing to fight the charges, saying, "I have never run from a fight in my life. I will never give up and I will always be in the fight." He ended the press conference without taking questions, highlighting the long and difficult journey ahead.
