Ben Roberts-Smith launches merchandise line while awaiting trial on murder
Victoria Cross awardee Ben Roberts-Smith is selling t-shirts with his arrest photo while facing murder trial.
Victoria Cross awardee Ben Roberts-Smith has opened an online shop. Roberts-Smith is selling merchandise, including a t-shirt with his arrest photo from Sydney airport six months ago.
The shirt shows him with Australian Federal Police and costs $49. A red circle marks the Qantas slogan "Spirit of Australia" on the plane behind him.
Roberts-Smith faces trial on charges of killing or ordering the killing of five prisoners in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Roberts-Smith is limited to Queensland.
He had never publicly discussed the charges in detail until now. This week he gives a two-and-a-half-hour radio interview with 2GB presenter Ben Fordham.
It will air in portions over several days. The full version goes to YouTube.
His new Instagram account got almost 50,000 followers in four days.
- $49
- T-shirt price
- Almost 50,000 followers in four days
- Instagram growth
- April 7, Sydney airport
- Arrest date
Why it mattersIt shows the unusual nature of the case. A decorated soldier faces serious charges. Yet he uses his arrest as a commercial brand. He does not step back from public life.
AustraliaThe case is one of the most high-profile Australian military prosecutions in recent history, involving allegations of war crimes by a soldier the public knows by name.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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