Military veteran Heston Russell blasts Anthony Albanese for abandoning him over shocking war crimes allegations

A war hero has criticized the Albanian government for failing to defend veterans after his platoon was accused of war crimes.

Retired Special Forces Commando Heston Russell appeared on Ben Fordham’s 2 GB radio program on Friday to discuss his defamation lawsuit against the ABC, which ended in 2023.

Between October 2020 and November 2021, investigative journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson published two articles online and a TV report accusing Mr Russell’s November platoon of executing a tied up prisoner in Afghanistan in 2012.

Mr Russell successfully sued the broadcaster in late 2021 and was awarded $390,000 in damages, but despite this he claims no one from the government ever defended him or his men against the allegations.

During his interview with Mr Fordham, the veteran singled out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defense Personnel Minister Matt Keogh for their lack of support.

During Russell’s years-long battle against the ABC, he said no one from the government ever offered their support when he was wrongly accused

Mr Russell told Mr Fordham he was “absolutely impressed” by the response Mr Keogh gave at their recent meeting in Canberra.

“My opening comment was, ‘Why have we had no comment from your government?’ To which he said to me, “It is not government policy to comment on what media organizations do,” Russell said.

‘So I said: ‘Myself and my entire platoon have been through hell at the hands of the ABC’… To which I got the response: ‘I am a lawyer and I must always default to what is appropriate under the law’ .’

Mr Fordham asked whether anyone from Parliament had personally contacted Mr Russell to express his support.

Mr. Russell responded that he had not heard from anyone in a position of authority on the matter in the three years since the article’s publication and subsequent lawsuit.

“I didn’t even apply for a benefits check,” Mr. Russell said.

When asked how the meeting between himself and Keogh came about, the veteran said it was thanks to his supporters who sent thousands of letters to Mr Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles demanding explanations.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Keogh said it was imperative the Government did not interfere with the ABC, a public broadcaster which he said should remain independent.

Mr Russell responded, saying that at a time when the Australian military is struggling to meet recruitment and retention quotas, it was important to show the country that the Department of Defense cared for and would support its veterans.

Mr Russell said he was “absolutely disappointed” by Defense Personnel Minister Matt Keogh’s (pictured) response to their recent meeting in Canberra.

The ABC had Mr Russell’s November squad for the execution of a tied up prisoner in Afghanistan in 2012, but Federal Court Judge Michael Lee ruled in October 2023 that the public broadcaster had not proven its reporting was in the public interest.

Mr. Fordham also announced during the interview that he would host a fundraising gala for Mr. Russell’s second annual Veterans Games on April 20.

Mr Fordham said he had managed to get NRL boss Peter V’landys on board to auction the opportunity to attend the Anzac Day rugby match with him.

The winner of the prize will sit next to Mr V’landys in a VIP booth to watch the match on April 25.

Mr. Russell will also be attending the dinner and will give a keynote speech about veterans transitioning back into normal society after their service.

All money raised from the event will go towards the games themselves and transportation for veterans who will attend.

Mr Russell also spoke about the second annual Veterans Games he is organizing on the Gold Coast, which will take place in August

This year’s games will once again take place on the Gold Coast and the events are based on exercises veterans have undertaken during their military careers, including obstacle courses, casual evacuations and tug-of-war.

Contestants must form teams of eight to compete, who are then judged based on their time, teamwork and communication skills.

These 2024 Veterans Games will take place on August 17 and 18.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the offices of Anthony Albanese and Matt Keogh for comment.