An Australian Special Forces soldier revealed in court that Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient and former Australian Army Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) veteran, had personally called the execution of an Afghan teenager "the most wonderful thing I've ever seen," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 's (ABC) website reported on Feb. 11.
According to Australian media reports, Ben Roberts-Smith is currently suing Australian newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times and three journalists, accusing him of "defaming" a series of articles published in 2018. He has denied allegations of unlawful killings, bullying former SAS comrades and domestic violence in Afghanistan. However, a third SAS witness (pseudonym Person 16" Person 16") brought up by Nine Entertainment, the parent media company of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Times, told the federal court that Ben Roberts-Smith made the comments about the death of the Afghan teenager when he was sent to Afghanistan on a mission in 2012.
According to the Australian media report, according to the "No. 16 person", at that time, shortly after arriving at the mission area by helicopter, Australian soldiers intercepted a Toyota Hilux car and detained two of the four passengers on the car. He described one of the Afghan teenagers as "about 20 years old in his teens," "without a big beard," "a little fat", and "shaking uncontrollably all over his body".
The witness told the court that he then heard a radio call saying components of improvised explosive devices had been found on Toyota and that soldiers handed over two detained Afghans to Ben Roberts-Smith's patrol for "tactical interrogation." About 15 to 20 minutes later, he heard Roberts-Smith calling "Two EKIA" on the radio, meaning "kill two enemies in action."
The witness testified that a day or two later he met Roberts-Smith in the barracks and asked him what had happened to "that trembling young man," "and he said to me, 'I shot him in the head.'" ”
Man 16 also told the judge that Roberts-Smith said, "On the last mission, Man 15 (another comrade-in-arms) told me not to kill anybody, so I took out my 9mm pistol and shot him (the Afghan teenager) in the head, blowing him in the head, and that was the most wonderful thing I've ever seen." ”
Australian media said that "No. 16" said that he had never reported to the military what he claimed to be roberts-Smith's statement because "there is a 'tacit guideline' within the Australian army for these things to happen." "I'm terrified of retaliation — that would end my military career" "(If I had said it) I would have been ostracized." The witness also said, "I also believe that I would be in danger of making such an allegation against someone so influential, for my personal safety, so I thought I had better remain silent and move on with my life." ”
Australian media pointed out that in court, the witness also saw photos of the afghan teenager's body , showing him holding a weapon similar to AK47. But witnesses said the teenager was not carrying any weapons when stopping the Car in which the Afghan was riding.
Australian media said that "Man 16" also said that before Roberts Smith joined SAS, the recipient of the Victoria Cross had an "awe-inspiring" reputation for "seriousness". But then the comment was divided into two, with those who supported him and those who opposed him —"those who oppose him, who think that he is a belligerent man, a bully, who will slander and defile others."
Australian media reported that Roberts Smith heard testimony about the Afghan teenager on the witness stand last year, when he denied saying "any" such things.
The trial of the case continues.
(Editor: LH)