Australian War Hero Loses Defamation Appeal Over Afghanistan Allegations
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living war veteran, has had his appeal rejected in a high-profile defamation case regarding newspaper reports of his conduct in Afghanistan. On Friday, three federal court judges unanimously upheld the original 2023 ruling that found the 2018 newspaper articles accusing Roberts-Smith of war crimes were substantially true to a civil standard. The initial judgment determined he was responsible for four of six alleged unlawful killings. The 46-year-old former Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment corporal, who holds both the Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan, was not present in the Sydney court for the decision. His legal representatives declined to comment afterward, though they still have the option to appeal to Australia's High Court. Despite the civil court findings, Roberts-Smith has never faced criminal charges, which would require proof beyond a […]