Ben Roberts-Smith (Image: AAP/Joel Carrett)
A barrister acting for Ben Roberts-Smith has alluded to an obscure Islamic juridical concept popularised by anti-Muslim alt-right figures to discredit an Afghan witness describing alleged war crimes committed by Australian troops.
Amid the marathon defamation proceedings against Nine for reporting on Roberts-Smith which the former soldier has denied, there was an odd moment during cross-examination of Darwan farmer Man Gul last week.
Bruce McClintock SC, acting for Roberts-Smith, reportedly asked whether Islam followers are permitted by their faith to deceive others: “It’s in fact permissible to lie to infidels under your religion, isn’t it?”