For months on end, Australia's most-decorated living soldier sat stoically in a Sydney courtroom as dozens of witnesses accused him of war crimes, bullying peers, and assaulting his mistress.

But Ben Roberts-Smith was not the one on trial.

The 44-year-old had brought the case, suing three Australian newspapers over a series of articles in 2018 which he says defamed him. He argues they ruined his life by painting him as a callous man who had broken the moral and legal rules of war, disgracing his country in the process.

But the media outlets say they reported the truth, and have set out to prove it.

It is the first time in history any court has been tasked with assessing allegations of war crimes by Australian forces.

Warning: This article contains descriptions of violence which readers may find upsetting.

The case just thrown out. The newspapers won by establishing the truth of their reporting.

Will the courts now do the right thing, and prosecute him for war crimes ?

“"Not a single one of the murders we allege… involved decisions that were made in the heat of battle… the 'fog of war,'" said Nicholas Owens, a barrister for the newspapers.”

 

I think the term is ‘cold blooded murder’.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Will the courts now do the right thing, and prosecute him for war crimes ?

A much higher standard of evidence is required in the criminal courts so it's unlikely IMO.