Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has publicly denied all allegations against him in his first statement after being charged with five counts of the war crime of murder last week. 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 stated, '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 do so, 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.' He emphasized his pride in his service, stating, 'I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.' Furthermore, he described his arrest as a 'sensational' and 'unnecessary spectacle,' refusing to take any questions from journalists. Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April and was released from jail on bail. The presiding judge noted that his case was 'exceptional' and that he was likely to spend 'possibly years and years' in custody before it went to trial if not granted bail. The criminal case against Roberts-Smith follows a 2023 civil defamation case, in which a judge found there was 'substantial truth' to some of the murder claims against him. This high-profile trial was the first time in history any court examined claims of war crimes by Australian forces. Roberts-Smith argued that the alleged killings were legal during combat or did not happen at all and lost an appeal against the Federal Court finding last year. He currently faces one charge of war crime murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a murder.