Archive · 19 May 2025
Decorated Australian Soldier Loses Appeal Over War Crimes
Imagine a very famous Australian soldier who won a special medal for bravery.
Some newspapers wrote that he did bad things during the war in Afghanistan, like hurting people who weren't fighting.
The soldier sued the newspapers, but the court mostly agreed with the newspapers.
He appealed the decision but lost.
The court said there was enough evidence to believe the soldier did hurt people.
The soldier has not faced any criminal charges.
An Australian war hero lost an appeal against a ruling that implicated him in war crimes.
The appeal concerned a defamation case brought against newspapers reporting on alleged war crimes.
The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the initial findings of the defamation case.
The original case found sufficient evidence that the soldier had murdered four Afghan men.
The soldier won Australia's highest military honor in Afghanistan for 'conspicuous gallantry'.
- Who
- Ben Roberts-Smith, a former SAS commando, lost the appeal.
- What
- The soldier lost an appeal against a defamation ruling related to war crime allegations in Afghanistan.
- When
- The appeal decision was made recently, after the original ruling in 2023.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The soldier lost the appeal after a court ruled he was involved in war crimes allegations.
Soldier's Perspective
Media's Perspective
Allegations
Soldier's Perspective
The soldier argued the reports were defamatory, damaging his reputation.
Media's Perspective
Reports of alleged war crimes, including murder, against the soldier.
Defamation Case Outcome
Soldier's Perspective
The soldier sought to overturn the court's initial findings.
Media's Perspective
The court found enough evidence to support the claims, and the appeal was dismissed.
- Defendant
- Former SAS commando
- Court
- Australian Federal Court
- Military Honor
- Victoria Cross
- Legal action
- Defamation lawsuit
- Allegations
- Murder of Afghan prisoners
- Allegations reported in
- 2018
- Afghan civilians unlawfully killed by Australian forces
- 39