Allegation Ben Roberts-Smith killed unarmed man is ‘ludicrous’, court hears

The most dramatic murder alleged to have been committed by the Australian soldier has been outright denied by his legal team

The most dramatic murder alleged to have been committed by Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith - that he kicked an unarmed, handcuffed Afghan civilian off a cliff before ordering him shot - has been outright denied by his legal team, who say the allegation is ludicrous" and the man's killing was justified.

The Victoria Cross recipient's high-profile defamation trial over war crimes allegations began in Sydney on Monday, with his barrister Bruce McClintock SC opening his case in combative fashion, saying those accusing Roberts-Smith were fabulists" without credibility, or failures as soldiers" motivated by jealousy.