Underdog Roberts-Smith launches brand to support family amid legal battle
Brand launch and its purpose
Roberts-Smith announced EPIC 1 TWO in an Instagram video showing him walking on a beach and exercising. He said the venture could bring in money for his family and legal expenses.
In a statement, he described the brand as deeply personal. He also said media pressure had discouraged organisations from supporting him, including those who believed he deserved a fair process.
Charges concern five detainees
The account alleges that Ahmadullah, who had a prosthetic leg, was taken outside the compound and shot several times with a belt-fed machine gun by Roberts-Smith. It says several Australian soldiers witnessed the incident.
A third charge relates to 11 September 2012, during a search for Hekmatullah, an Afghan national army soldier accused of killing three Australian soldiers and wounding two. The fourth and fifth charges allege Roberts-Smith was complicit in the deaths of two prisoners in Syahchow village in October 2012.
Bail variation and memorial event
In June, Roberts-Smith successfully sought a change to his bail conditions so he could attend the opening of Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. He attended the opening on Sunday.
The charges concern alleged events during his deployment, while the brand announcement focuses on his stated need to meet family and legal costs. The allegations remain the subject of the criminal case.
Key points
- Roberts-Smith says EPIC 1 TWO will help fund family needs and legal expenses.
- He faces charges relating to five alleged murders in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
- The brand name comes from a radio call sign linked to his Victoria Cross mission.
- He attended the Anzac Hall opening after securing a bail variation in June.