Reuters — Australia’s most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to Afghanistan deployments more ​than a decade ago, on Sunday publicly denied the allegations ‌against him and said he was proud of his service. Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, freed this week on bail, is charged with five counts of war crimes over ​the alleged murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 ​and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum jail term ⁠of life.

The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has consistently denied ​the accusations of wrongdoing, many first reported by Nine Entertainment newspapers ​in a series of articles starting in 2018.

Speaking to the media on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Roberts-Smith said he always acted within the rules of engagement ​in Afghanistan.