Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has publicly stated his intention to fight five war crime charges, including murder, stemming from his service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Released on bail on Friday, April 7, the Victoria Cross recipient, aged 47, asserts he is proud of his service and acted within his training and rules of engagement, viewing the charges as an opportunity to clear his name. This criminal case follows a 2023 civil defamation suit where a judge found "substantial truth" to some murder allegations against him, marking the first time Australian war crime claims were examined in court. Roberts-Smith faces charges of murder, jointly commissioning murder, and aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring murder.