SYDNEY: In a recent development, Australia’s most revered and decorated war veteran has lodged an appeal against a civil court’s defamation ruling.
The verdict had implicated him in the murder of four Afghans during his service in Afghanistan, according to court records unveiled on Tuesday.
Former SAS corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, whose outstanding bravery earned him Australia’s highest military accolade, the Victoria Cross, found himself embroiled in a legal battle after three newspapers and their journalists published articles accusing him of unlawfully killing unarmed Afghan civilians. These allegations suggested a departure from the established rules of war, according to foreign media.
However, the tides turned on June 1 when a Federal Court judge declared that the newspapers had substantiated most of their claims. Undeterred by the outcome, Roberts-Smith lodged an appeal on July 11, as revealed in a statement posted on the court’s official website. Further details regarding the appeal remain undisclosed, and a spokesperson for Roberts-Smith’s legal team was unavailable for comment at the time of filing the report.
The media conglomerate Nine Entertainment Co, which owns the newspapers responsible for publishing the contentious reports, also refrained from immediate comment.
Remarkably absent from the courtroom during the announcement of the June 1 ruling, Roberts-Smith made his position clear on June 15. He affirmed his unwavering stance on the actions he undertook during his military service, expressing his disagreement with the outcome of the lawsuit.
In an interview with Nine’s television division, he conveyed his dismay, stating, “It’s a terrible outcome and it’s the incorrect outcome.” Furthermore, he suggested that a thorough examination of the judgment would be conducted to determine the necessity of filing an appeal.
The veteran’s quest for justice continues, as the legal battle rages on. As this case unfolds, the implications for Roberts-Smith’s reputation and Australia’s military legacy loom large. The nation waits with bated breath for the resolution of this captivating and consequential courtroom drama.
