The chairman of the nationwide SAS Association has responded to right this moment’s media furore over Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation case towards Nine newspapers.
Speaking to the ABC shortly after the deicision was handed down, Martin Hamilton-Smith implored that almost all of SAS members fought bravely for his or her nation and lamented a “very disappointing day”.
The chairman criticised the “public airing of issues” within the media and mentioned it had been “very traumatic” for a bunch of soliders he says are being topic to trauma.
“The judgement today, which is by the way a defamation matter not a criminal proceeding, is going to be disappointing to many.
“I’m very concerned as the national chairman for our veterans and their families, because the public airing of all these issues, trial by media, the way it has been handled generally, not just this trial but the general made in public of the Brereton inquiry, the trial by association, has been very traumatic for a group of soldiers, 99.9 per cent of whom did nothing more than fight bravely for their country.
“They are being re-traumatised after having gone through a difficult war. Now, with all these matters, the sooner they are dealt with the better.”
Hamilton-Smith mentioned the one technique to get the “real truth” is to get it into the legal courtroom.
“Both sides of the story can be told, and beyond reasonable doubt the facts established,” he continued.
“I don’t think the judgement gives us anything other than resolving the defamation case. I know it will be interpreted differently in the media. To get to the real truth of things, you have to get these matters before a criminal court.”
Meanwhile, Channel Nine director James Chessell mentioned the outcome was a vindication of reporting on a “difficult story”.
“Today is a pivotal moment in this story, and we are very pleased with the result,” he mentioned.
“The series of stories at the centre of this trial will have a lasting impact on the Australian Defence Force.
“We will continue to hold people involved in war crimes to account.
“The responsibility for these atrocities does not end with Ben Robert Smith.”
Stokes says judgment ‘does not accord’ with BRS
This got here as Seven West govt chairman Kerry Stokes, who employed Ben Roberts-Smith and backed his authorized effort, issued a press release.
He additionally mentioned he was disillusioned with the judgment.
“The judgment does not accord with the man I know,” he mentioned. “I know this will be particularly hard for Ben, who has always maintained his innocence.
“That his fellow soldiers have disagreed with each other, this outcome will be the source of additional grief.
“I haven’t had a chance to have a discussion with Ben as yet, but I will when he has had a chance to fully absorb the judgment.”
Where Roberts-Smith was throughout courtroom listening to
Roberts-Smith was pictured mendacity poolside in Bali at a $500-a-night resort whereas awaiting the decision of his defamation case.
According to 9News, the Victoria Cross recipient checked into the resort on Tuesday.
Many anticipated Mr Roberts-Smith to attend courtroom right this moment, as he did each single day throughout the 110-day lengthy trial, even when former comrades and his ex-wife gave proof towards him.
However, he isn’t legally required to be in courtroom for the choice.
The proceedings have been formally dismissed, after Justice Besanko discovered the articles proved some, not all the defamatory imputations, in a serious win for the newspapers.
There was silence throughout the courtroom as Justice Besanko discovered the adorned veteran was a assassin and a battle legal in his conclusions.
He mentioned essentially the most critical imputations alleged within the articles had been confirmed, and he upheld the defence of contextual fact for the rest.
Justice Besanko discovered allegations of threats and home violence couldn’t be confirmed, however was “satisfied” the defence made out the defence of contextual fact.
While not each homicide allegation was established by the newspapers, the choose discovered the 2 key killings had taken place.
Justice Besanko discovered Mr Roberts-Smith’s actions on the mission to Whiskey 108 on Easter Sunday in 2009 have been discovered to be considerably true, that means he was discovered to have allegedly “frog marched” a person with a prosthetic leg out of a secret tunnel on the compound.
He has been discovered by the courtroom to have shot the person with a machine gun within the again.
Justice Besanko additionally discovered the homicide of Ali Jan at Darwan in September 2012 to be considerably true, the place Mr Roberts-Smith allegedly kicked the detained shepherd off a cliff whereas he was handcuffed.
It is alleged Mr Roberts-Smith marched the farmer to face above the 10-metre-high cliff earlier than kicking him onto a dry riverbed under.
Source: www.news.com.au
