Accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith has made an appearance at an Anzac Day dawn service in Queensland this morning.
Australia’s most decorated soldier was seen at the service onΒ Currumbin Beach, on the Gold Coast, early on Saturday morning, his medals of service pinned to this suit jacket.
‘I’ve never thought about not coming, I was always going to be here,’ he told the ABC.Β
Photos show a beaming Roberts-Smith chatting with veterans, shaking the hand of a young naval officer and smiling for selfies with supporters who also turned out for the dawn service.
The former SAS soldier attended the service with his partner,Β Sarah Matulin, and his parents.
Ms Matulin appeared to be moved by the ceremony and was seen blowing her nose, as thousands turned out to pay their respects to those who fought.
More to comeΒ
Accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith has made an appearance at an Anzac Day dawn service in Queensland this morning
The former SAS soldier was seen taking selfies with supporters
Roberts-Smith and thousands of others braved the cold, wet weather for the Currumbin Beach dawn service
Roberts-Smith is seen shaking the hand of a naval officer during the service
Roberts-Smith said he was thinking about the families of service members and the ultimate sacrifice many have made in defence of the nation.
He said the country owed them a ‘deep debt’.
‘Everyone should be reflecting and commemorating the service of all of those Australians that have given us the country that we live in,’ he said.Β
Roberts-Smith has been on the Gold Coast after he was released from custody on April 17 for a $250,000 surety.
The 47-year-old former SAS soldier spent 10 days in Sydney’s Silverwater prison after he was arrested on April 7 and charged with murdering or ordering the murders of five unarmed detainees while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
