Australia's most-decorated soldier vows to fight war crime charges

Ben Roberts-Smith has given his first statement since he was charged with five counts of the war crime of murder last week.

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The Victoria Cross recipient, released on bail on Friday, said he was "proud of my service in Afghanistan", and would use the charges against him as an opportunity to "finally" clear his name.

He said: "I understand this journey will be difficult. But I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life."

Roberts-Smith, 47, is accused of being involved in the deaths of unarmed Afghan detainees, either by killing them or ordering a subordinate to, between 2009 and 2012.

A former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, Roberts-Smith told the media that "while I would have preferred these charges not to be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name".