SYDNEY, April 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An Australian former soldier charged with war crimes vowed on Sunday to clear his name, saying he had never "run from a fight" in his first public comments since his arrest.

"I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name," Ben Roberts-Smith told journalists in Gold Coast.

Roberts-Smith was granted bail on Friday after a high-profile arrest on five counts of "war crime -- murder", with police alleging he was complicit in a string of unlawful killings between 2009 and 2012.

The Victoria Cross recipient has denied all the charges.

"I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values," he said on Sunday.