SYDNEY, 08 June 2021, (TON): A defamation trial opened pitting one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers against three major newspapers that accused him of war crimes in Afghanistan.

A former member of Australia’s elite Special Air Services regiment, Ben Roberts-Smith, is suing the newspapers as well as individual journalists from all three over articles from 2018 that alleged he committed murder and other atrocities while serving in Afghanistan.

According to court documents, the defendants, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Canberra Times, and Melbourne’s The Age, will argue the reports were truthful.

Australia’s military and police are both investigating numerous war crimes alleged to have been committed by members of elite SAS soldiers in Afghanistan.

Court documents show that among the witnesses for the defence are at least four Afghan villagers who are set to appear via video-link from Kabul.

Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan, among Australia’s top military honours. He is now an executive for Channel Seven television in Queensland state.

A court official said that the Federal Court trial will last for eight to ten weeks, with around 60 witnesses expected to take the stand.