Australia’s most decorated living veteran, who has been accused of committing war crimes in Afghanistan, has refused to apologise for his actions.
Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service (SAS) soldier, served six tours in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012. He has been accused of killing four unarmed men.
Early this month, the former elite soldier, 44, lost a defamation lawsuit against Australian media outlets which had accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. A judge found the allegations to be “substantially true.”
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ben Roberts-Smith said that he is innocent and will consider making an appeal against the court’s verdict.
He said: “I’m devastated… It’s a terrible outcome and it’s the incorrect outcome.”
“We haven’t done anything wrong, so we won’t be making any apologies,” he added.
The Australian government is conducting an investigation on the conduct of its forces in Afghanistan amid allegations of war crimes.
