Global Courant
SYDNEY – Australia’s most decorated war veteran, found by a civilian court for a role in the murder of four Afghans while serving in Afghanistan, said he was devastated by what he called an “incorrect” judgment and did not want to apologize for his actions.
In his first public comments since the court ruling, former Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, holder of the Victoria Cross and other military decorations, said he remained proud of his actions in Afghanistan, where he served in the Special Air Service on six travel from 2006 to 2012.
An Australian federal court judge on June 1 dismissed Cpl Roberts-Smith’s defamation suit against three newspapers over articles accusing him of breaking the rules of engagement and killing unarmed Afghans.
In his ruling, the judge said the newspapers had proved the substantial truth in their reporting.
“I am devastated by the result. It’s a terrible outcome, and it’s the wrong outcome,” Cpl Roberts-Smith, who served in Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment, told television network Nine Entertainment late Wednesday on the baggage carousel at Perth Airport.
“We didn’t do anything wrong, so we won’t apologize,” he added.
Asked if he remained proud of his actions in Afghanistan, Cpl Roberts-Smith replied, “Of course I am.”
The determination of libel by the civil court required a lower threshold of evidence than a criminal court would.
Cpl Roberts-Smith, 44, whose portrait hangs in the Australian War Memorial, has not been charged with any crimes.
Still, the verdict was embraced by the defendants and representatives of the media and defense industry as a victory for public interest journalism and transparency regarding Australia’s military actions abroad.
Cpl Roberts-Smith was not in court for the verdict, which followed 110 days of hearings spanning a year, and was photographed by media in Bali, Indonesia at the time.
He was more recently photographed in New Zealand, where he took a flight to Australia.
“We will look at it (the verdict) and consider whether or not we should appeal,” Roberts-Smith said in the short interview at the airport. “We’re just going to have to work through it, and I’ll take the advice as it comes.” REUTERS
