Text of statement by Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC MG, 19th April 2026 (Australian Victoria Cross winner accused of war crimes)

Various sources | 19th April 2026 | Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC, MG

[naturalman1975]

Statement by Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC MG, 19th April 2026

For the past 10 years, my family and I have been subject to a campaign to convince Australians that I’ve acted improperly in my service in Afghanistan.

As I’ve always maintained, I categorically deny all of these allegations and while I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name.

I’m proud of my service in Afghanistan.

While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.

I’d also like to say I’m extremely proud of all the men and women that served alongside me in Afghanistan and their service and sacrifice should never be forgotten, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice, many of whom were my friends.

I’d like to thank my partner Sarah, my beautiful daughters, my mother and father and all of Sarah’s family for their unwavering support, for standing by me during this difficult time.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank of all the Australians who have reached out to me, publically and privately, to offer their support and well wishes. It means a great deal to me and is extremely humbling.

I understand this is an unprecedented case and the public interest is huge and the media has a job to do, which they should be allowed to do, but I would ask that the media please allow my family privacy at this time, particularly my children who have already unfortunately suffered through a deliberate sensational arrest that was made last week, an unnecessary spectacle.

I understand this journey will be long. I understand this journey will be difficult but I can promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life. I will never give up and I will always be in the fight. Thank you.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; afghansoldier; australia; benjaminrobertssmith; benrobertssmith; bleedingheartattack; gwot; hekmatullah; prisonerswaps; qatar; victoriacross; waronterror

[naturalman1975]

While this statement has been partially quoted on many Australian news sites today, I haven't been able to find a clear and organised transcript. I have transcribed the statement myself from a number of videos of the statement.

[Equine1952]

I tend to believe this is a good man being railroaded by a bunch of Left wing Aussie wankers. He deserves better than this and if the normal Australians allow this crap then as a once great ally, they can go bugger themselves, their leaders suck. IMO

[Jonty30]

I’ve heard Afghans are being bribed to testify against him.

[Equine1952]

Looking at the current state of the leadership in Australia, I would believe it. My initial post was pretty much missing a lot of the adjectives and adverbs that won’t pass here on FR. I count on those that read my post to fill in the blanks. The man is being persecuted not prosecuted again IMO.

[dfwgator]

Just like Breaker Morant.

[piasa]

There is some definite politics going on.

The guy the soldier originally pursued when the shepherd was killed, Hekmatullah, was a defector Afghan soldier who had been involved in killing three Aussie soldiers.

Hekmatullah was later convicted in Afghanistan but apparently was one of 6 captives the US released to the Taliban in Qatar as part of a deal to enable Trump to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan.

Australia and France were not pleased with this guy’s release and claimed they weren’t even consulted, and since the slain soldiers were Aussies this was egregious if true.

(This has an Iranian smell to it, too.)

[piasa]

Or rather, 3 British soldiers.

[sport]

It is. My question would be, and I know that I am in the minority on this, but how many G.I.s were shot in back by muslins pretending to be on the side of the Unites States and being paid by the American Government. Probably less than one. I answered my own question. it won’t be many more moons before the muslim population in the United States of America reaches critical mass.