April 17 (UPI) -- Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, was granted bail Friday after being charged with war crimes stemming from his time in Afghanistan.
Roberts-Smith, 47, a former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service, is facing five charges of the war crime of murder. Prosecutors allege he killed or ordered subordinates to kill several unarmed detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, denies the allegations. He appeared in court via video link on Friday.
The former soldier's lawyers argued that keeping him imprisoned while awaiting trial would harm his ability to mount a proper defense.
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