Australia's most famed soldier committed war crimes, murder in Afghanistan: Court

One of Australia's most decorated soldiers lost a landmark defamation case against major newspapers Thursday after a bruising trial that saw accusations of murder, domestic violence, witness intimidation and war crimes.

Ben Roberts-Smith, a former member of Australia's elite Special Air Services regiment, sued three newspapers after 2018 reports alleged he was involved in the murder of six unarmed prisoners in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith denied the allegations and launched a multi-million-dollar defamation case in response.

But Justice Anthony Beskano said the papers had proven many of their allegations were "substantially true" and dismissed the case.

The verdict was hailed as a major victory for Australian media freedom, with journalist and defendant Nick McKenzie tweeting: "Justice."

Before the trial, Perth-born Roberts-Smith was Australia's most famous and distinguished soldier.

He won the Victoria Cross -- Australia's highest military honour -- for "conspicuous gallantry" in Afghanistan, where his unit was hunting for a senior Taliban commander.