Ben Roberts-Smith: Decorated war hero slams AFP, arrest in first public statement since war crime charges

War hero Ben Roberts-Smith has made his first public statement since he was charged with alleged war crimes, emphatically denying the allegations against him and pledging to clear his name.

The 47-year-old fronted media on the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon to issue a statement in which he took aim at the Australian Federal Police over his “deliberate, sensational arrest” at Sydney Airport.

The Victoria Cross recipient said that officers had created “an unnecessary spectacle” for his partner and daughters, who were travelling with him at the time when he was taken into custody in front of waiting media.

“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,” Mr Roberts-Smith said.

“As I’ve always maintained, I categorically deny all these allegations. While I would’ve preferred these charges not have been bought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name.

“I have never run from a fight in my life. I will never give up and I will always be in the fight.”

Australia’s most decorated war veteran was released from jail on Friday to return home to Queensland under strict bail conditions, including a $250,000 surety.

He must report to police three times per week and can only live at an apartment address provided on the Gold Coast.

Mr Roberts-Smith cannot go near any international departure point and has been banned from using encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.

He is facing five charges of murder, which were allegedly committed between 2009 and 2012 against unarmed detainees in Afghanistan while he was deployed with the SAS.