Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated soldier who was convicted of war crimes by a court recently, defended the atrocities he committed during his service in Afghanistan and proclaimed himself to be innocent.

In his first remarks since the landmark ruling earlier this month that found Roberts-Smith guilty of murdering Afghan civilians, the former SAS corporal, who returned to Perth on Wednesday, said that he will consider an appeal against the judgement.

"I'm devastated... It's a terrible outcome and it's the incorrect outcome," Roberts-Smith, who was not in the country when the order was passed, told Channel Nine at Perth airport.

<h2>Won’t apologise</h2>

The disgraced soldier also said that he would not apologise to those affected by his alleged crimes.

"We haven't done anything wrong, so we won't be making any apologies," he said.

On June 1, the 44-year-old former soldier lost the defamation case he filed against three newspapers—The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Canberra Times —which reported that he had murdered unarmed prisoners and civilians while serving in Afghanistan between 2009-2012.

Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko had found the allegations against Roberts-Smith "substantially true".

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This is the first time that an Australian court has assessed accusations of war crimes by the country's forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-who-is-ben-roberts-smith-australias-decorated-living-soldier-accused-of-war-crimes-599160">Explained: Who is Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated living soldier accused of war crimes?</a>

Roberts-Smith has not been charged so far as the ruling was made by a civil court. He is yet to be tried in a criminal court where there is a higher burden of proof.

Notably, none of the evidence presented in the civil defamation case against Roberts-Smith can be used in any criminal proceedings and requires the investigators to gather their own independently.

BBC reported this week that the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) —which is responsible for addressing criminal matters related to the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan—would work alongside Australian Federal Police (AFP) to examine three alleged murders local media say involve the former soldier.

The killings allegedly took place at a compound codenamed Whiskey 108 and in the southern Afghan village of Darwan.

<h2>Who is Ben Roberts-Smith?</h2>

Roberts-Smith, who was born in Perth in West Australia in 1978, joined the Australian army when he was just 18. He joined the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in 2003.

He was deployed to Afghanistan multiple times between 2006 and 2012. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest honour, for his “most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril” during a mission in 2010 to track down a senior Taliban commander.

Roberts-Smith is divorced with twin teenage daughters. He left the military 10 years ago and took a degree in business, later joining the Seven Network media group and becoming a motivational speaker.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated soldier who was convicted of war crimes by a court recently, defended the atrocities he committed during his service in Afghanistan and proclaimed himself to be innocent.

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated soldier who was convicted of war crimes by a court recently, defended the atrocities he committed during his service in Afghanistan and proclaimed himself to be innocent. In his first remarks since the landmark ruling earlier this month that found Roberts-Smith guilty of murdering Afghan civilians, the former SAS corporal, who returned to Perth on Wednesday, said that he will consider an appeal against the judgement. "I'm devastated... It's a terrible outcome and it's the incorrect outcome," Roberts-Smith, who was not in the country when the order was passed, told Channel Nine at Perth airport. Won’t apologise The disgraced soldier also said that he would not apologise to those affected by his alleged crimes. "We haven't done anything wrong, so we won't be making any apologies," he said. On June 1, the 44-year-old former soldier lost the defamation case he filed against three newspapers—The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Canberra Times —which reported that he had murdered unarmed prisoners and civilians while serving in Afghanistan between 2009-2012. Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko had found the allegations against Roberts-Smith "substantially true". This is the first time that an Australian court has assessed accusations of war crimes by the country's forces. Also read | Explained: Who is Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated living soldier accused of war crimes? Roberts-Smith has not been charged so far as the ruling was made by a civil court. He is yet to be tried in a criminal court where there is a higher burden of proof. Notably, none of the evidence presented in the civil defamation case against Roberts-Smith can be used in any criminal proceedings and requires the investigators to gather their own independently. BBC reported this week that the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) —which is responsible for addressing criminal matters related to the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan—would work alongside Australian Federal Police (AFP) to examine three alleged murders local media say involve the former soldier. The killings allegedly took place at a compound codenamed Whiskey 108 and in the southern Afghan village of Darwan. Who is Ben Roberts-Smith? Roberts-Smith, who was born in Perth in West Australia in 1978, joined the Australian army when he was just 18. He joined the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in 2003. He was deployed to Afghanistan multiple times between 2006 and 2012. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest honour, for his “most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril” during a mission in 2010 to track down a senior Taliban commander. Roberts-Smith is divorced with twin teenage daughters. He left the military 10 years ago and took a degree in business, later joining the Seven Network media group and becoming a motivational speaker. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ben Roberts-Smith: Disgraced Australian solider found guilty of war crimes says won't apologise

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most-decorated war veteran, lied to cover up his misconduct and threatened witnesses in a defamation trial, according to the judgement released on Monday (June 5).

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most-decorated war veteran, lied to cover up his misconduct and threatened witnesses in a defamation trial, according to the judgement released on Monday (June 5). The judgement of Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko said that Smith was complicit in and responsible for the murder of three Afghan men during his deployment. Smith was also "not an honest and reliable witness in...many areas" and was a bully toward other Australian soldiers. "I have found that the applicant (Roberts-Smith) was complicit in and responsible for the murder of EKIA56 ... in 2009 and the murder of Ali Jan at Darwan on 11 September 2012 and the murder of the Afghan male at Chinartu on 12 October 2012," the 736-page judgement read. ALSO READ | Explained: Who is Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated living soldier accused of war crimes? Smith, a former corporal in the Australian Special Air Service (SAS)- a special forces unit, was accused by three Australian newspapers of unlawful killings in Afghanistan. Smith, 44, was accused by the newspapers of ordering a lower-ranking soldier to shoot dead an "older Afghan male", identified in the case as EKIA56, to "blood the rookie," the news agency Reuters reported. Last Thursday (June 1), Federal Court Judge Bensanko threw out Smith's defamation case against the newspapers, saying the media outlets had proven substantial truth in their reporting, ending a case which lifted the veil of secrecy over the SAS. Smith engaged in 'campaign of bullying' In the judgement, Bensanko found Smith engaging in a campaign of bullying against another Australian soldier, including what he called a "death threat" when the SAS veteran said, "If your performance doesn't improve on our next patrol, you're going to get a bullet in the back of the head." "The applicant has motives to lie, being a financial motive to support his claim for damages in these proceedings, a motive to restore his reputation which he contends has been destroyed by the publication of the articles and significantly, a motive to resist findings against him which may affect whether further action is taken against him," the judge wrote, adding Smith was not an honest and reliable witness in many areas. SAS veteran quits Seven West Media After losing the defamation case, Ben Roberts-Smith resigned from Seven West Media. Smith was the general manager of Seven Queensland. On June 2, The managing director and chief executive officer of Seven, James Warburton, told staff Smith offered his resignation. “As you’re all aware, the judgment in the defamation case was handed down yesterday,” Warburton said in an email seen by Guardian Australia. Smith stood aside from his job in Queensland in 2021 to focus on the defamation trial. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australian war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith lied, threatened witnesses in defamation trial: Judgement

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Ben Roberts-Smith: Disgraced Australian solider found guilty of war crimes says won't apologise

Australian war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith lied, threatened witnesses in defamation trial: Judgement