Pauline Hanson calls for ANZAC Day to be an unofficial BRS Day to honour the fallen SAS hero now facing war crime murder charges - as Australia reacts to him being set free on bail

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Supporters of Ben Roberts-Smith have been called on to make Anzac Day an unofficial 'BRS' day after he was granted bail this afternoon.

The Victoria Cross recipient appeared at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Friday via audio-visual link from a cell at Silverwater Correctional Centre while his lawyers argued for his release.

Roberts-Smith, 47, will now have his first taste of freedom in 10 days after he was arrested and charged over the alleged murders of five Afghans between 2009 and 2012.

Just minutes after Local Court Judge Greg Grogin granted Roberts-Smith bail, citing the fact the former soldier would likely spend 'years and years' in custody if bail was refused, Pauline Hanson called on Aussies to attend Anzac Day services in tribute to him.

'War heroes don't belong in political prisons. His successful bail application is a step in the right direction for this war hero,' the One Nation leader said.

'This Anzac Day, attend for Ben. Attend for the hundreds of thousands of Anzacs. Attend for our serving soldiers and those who love this country enough to fight for it.'

Hanson, who has been an ardent supporter of Roberts-Smith since allegations of war crimes emerged against him in 2018, said the decision to grant him bail 'reflects that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence'.

'Even though he has been bailed, these criminal proceedings will be hanging over Ben's head for years. It looks like the process is the punishment,' she added.

Ben Roberts-Smith was granted bail on Friday afternoon after he was charged with five counts  of 'war crime - murder' relating to alleged incidents in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson called on Australians to attend their local Anzac Day service in support of Roberts-Smith

He was wearing prison greens when he fronted court via audio-visual link from a cell

Among the strict bail conditions facing Roberts-Smith are restrictions on his travel outside of his home state of Queensland (unless for legal or medical appointments), the surrender of his passport, and the restricted use one phone and one laptop, the details of which must be provided to police.

He has also been banned from contacting any prosecution witness directly or through another party and was ordered to report to a police station three times a week.

The court also demanded a $250,000 surety, which would be forfeited if Roberts-Smith failed to attend court, or in any way breached his bail.

It's understood his father Len, a former judge, had offered to provide that surety. 

While Hanson's idea on Friday had some offering their support, with the #attendforBen floating around X, many called out Hanson directly for her decision to link Anzac Day to one Australian soldier, and not all.

'I will attend dawn service with my husband as usual, not for Ben, but in memory of the mates he lost,' one woman commented.

Another said: 'For the love of God, you know full well that this has zero to do with politics. It's a legal matter... as former ADF myself, I'd be horrified if people misuse ANZAC day as you suggest.'

Another person told Hanson to encourage everyone to get up and attend their local Dawn Service: 'Even small towns have them, get off your arses and support our heroes, which they all are.'

Hanson's comments received a mixed reaction with many calling on her to support all Australian soldiers, not just one

Roberts-Smith's parents, Len and Sue, were in court on Friday to support their son

Supporters stood outside the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, holding signs in support

Roberts-Smith has played a prominent role in Anzac Day commemorations, including leading marches and speaking at dawn services around the country.

Whether he will appear at an Anzac Day service next week remains unknown, however, if so it will most likely be in Queensland where his bail permits.

It comes as some of his supporters have announced plans to hold a protest in Melbourne the day after Anzac Day to call for the charges against Roberts-Smith to be dropped.

The rally, which was organised by ethnonationalist group, National Workers Alliance, was originally set for April 19 but was postponed following consultation with Roberts-Smith's family.

The group has not yet confirmed if the event will still go ahead following Roberts-Smith's successful bail application.

It comes after it emerged in court on Friday that police believed Roberts-Smith had 'advanced plans' to move overseas before he was charged.

The Daily Mail revealed Roberts-Smith was planning to leave Australia soon and make a new life for himself overseas to pursue a new work opportunity.

The precise timing, or location, of his overseas move was unclear, but it was thought to be in the near future. 

Roberts-Smith leaves Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney's west on Friday evening

Roberts-Smith was with his partner Sarah Matulin and his twin teenage daughters when he was arrested at Sydney Domestic Airport on April 7

Roberts-Smith will now return to Queensland while the prosecution gathers its brief of evidence, which they claim will be 'substantially served' by the end of July.

He is due to face court again on June 5.

Roberts-Smith has been charged with five counts of 'war crime - murder' allegedly committed between 2009 and 2012 while he served with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan.

He was taken into custody after a five-year joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

He is accused under the Commonwealth Criminal Code of shooting dead an unarmed Afghan, murdering another with an SAS comrade, and ordering the execution of three more.

Roberts-Smith's arrest came almost three years after he lost a defamation action against Nine newspapers, which published a series of reports in 2018 accusing him of being a war criminal.

The case against Roberts-Smith will be run by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and his defence funded by the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme.

Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings.