Ben Roberts-Smith Denies War Crimes Allegations in First Interview Since Charges Laid
The Victoria Cross recipient stated he would not change anything about his military career and denied shooting prisoners or witnessing such acts.
Decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has publicly denied allegations of war crimes, including shooting prisoners and witnessing fellow soldiers do so, in his first interview since being charged. Speaking to radio host Ben Fordham, Roberts-Smith stated he has never broken the rules of engagement during his service in Afghanistan and would not change a single thing about his military career.
Roberts-Smith, who was awarded Australia's highest military honor, the Victoria Cross, for his service, faces accusations of murdering five unarmed detainees between April 2009 and October 2012. He denies these allegations.
When asked directly if he had shot prisoners, Roberts-Smith replied, 'No.' He also stated, 'No, I did not' when asked if he had seen others commit such acts. He acknowledged the questions were difficult but necessary for facts to be presented.
The interview also addressed the controversial practice of 'throwdowns,' where weapons are placed on deceased individuals to suggest they were armed. Roberts-Smith claimed that military leadership had instructed soldiers to gather weapons and equipment with bodies for intelligence photographs. "It was actually a directive, right, from the leadership that if you had an engagement and you needed to take a photo of it for intelligence purposes, put their equipment together, put the weapon on the body, you know, and then that was sent back because that was just the process of the day," he said. This practice has been alleged by some witnesses to be a means of fabricating enemy combatants after premeditated killings.
Roberts-Smith also rejected suggestions of a 'cowboy culture' within the Special Air Service (SAS), characterizing some behaviors as ways for soldiers to let off steam. He acknowledged that being a 'larrikin' is no longer accepted in the military but insisted that during active engagements, the majority of soldiers were highly professional.
He affirmed that loyalty to fellow soldiers does not supersede the laws of armed conflict and that murdering a prisoner constitutes a war crime. Roberts-Smith stated that soldiers witnessing unlawful conduct are obligated to report it and that he himself did not witness any unlawful conduct by his fellow soldiers.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Roberts-Smith mentioned his parents instilled strong values in him, including his father's extensive pro bono work and contributions to the Indigenous community, including founding Legal Aid in Western Australia. Despite the current allegations, Roberts-Smith expressed certainty in his actions during his military career. 'And the answer to that question is no. I wouldn't change a single thing. I would do it all exactly the same way because I know that I did the right thing,' he stated. He added that he was prepared to die for his country and ensured his comrades' safety without ever breaking the rules of engagement.