Australia's Elite Soldier Battles War Crime Allegations

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian Army corporal who is the country's most decorated soldier, has pledged to fight the war crime charges he is facing. Last week, Roberts-Smith was charged with five counts of the war crime of murder during his service in Afghanistan.

In his first public statement since the charges were announced, Roberts-Smith said he would "fight" the allegations against him. "I've always maintained my innocence and I will continue to do so," he said. The 42-year-old veteran has been at the center of a high-profile investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

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