‘Challenging Terrain’: Former General Comments on ADF’s Involvement in Dezi Freeman Search

A retired Australian Defence Force general says the military’s experience in operating in “jungle country” could prove helpful in the ongoing bushland search for accused killer Dezi Freeman.

Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed earlier this week that military assets, including a planning specialist and aerial surveillance, would join the police manhunt.

Former Major General Mick Ryan told Today such situations happened “reasonably frequently”.

“Normally the Australian Defence Force comes in when there’s disaster relief, whether it’s the aftermath of floods, fires – and these kind of events, it’s less frequent to come in under this, defence aid to the civil power arrangements, to police,” he said.

“But it’s certainly not unprecedented. And the Australian Constitution and federal law allows for such support to take place.”

He said the ADF’s assistance was in support and planning, rather than taking the lead.

“I mean, we have a lot of people experienced in operating this kind of close, almost jungle country,” he said.

“The Minister also mentioned this aerial surveillance that might be provided. So, you know, this is very much a support role. It’s not about troops on the ground.”

But he warned that military assets wouldn’t necessarily be decisive.

“Well, it looks like pretty tough country there. I think it also shows that, you know, we’ve got this expectation from the war in Ukraine that drones allow us to see everything,” he said.

“Well, in this kind of country, that’s not quite the case. It’s a pretty tough operation ahead for the police, I think.”

Freeman’s wife was at property

Meanwhile, Dezi Freeman’s wife Amalia, who has previously called on her husband to turn himself in, was at the property when officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart were shot dead and third police officer was injured while executing a search warrant related to historic sex offences, on August 26, it has been confirmed.

Crime Command Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said yesterday Amalia Freeman could face charges of obstructing police “in due course”.

“She has been interviewed by Victoria Police for obstructing police at the time of the incident the crime that occurred, and a brief of evidence will be compiled, and she may be charged in due course,” Kelly said.

Amalia Freeman in a statement through her lawyer spoke of her “deep sorrow” at the deaths of the two police officers and said she did not hold anti-authority views.