Man is charged after allegedly waving Hezbollah flag at protest attended by thousands in Melbourne
A man has been charged for allegedly waving the Hezbollah flag at a protest attended by thousands of people in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the flag of the designated terrorist organization at the event in the city’s CBD on September 29.
The man from Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s south-east, was charged on Friday with publicly displaying a symbol of a banned terrorist organisation.
The alleged crime carries a maximum penalty of 12 months behind bars.
Officers are also investigating other alleged incidents involving the display of banned symbols during the protests as part of a specialist AFP operation.
Thousands of people gathered at the September rally as part of demonstrations in support of Palestine and Lebanon amid the conflict in the Middle East.
The demonstrations took place following the death of former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on September 27.
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said officers carried out a thorough investigation into those accused of displaying banned symbols.
The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the flag of the designated terrorist organization during the event in the city’s CBD, on September 29 (Photo: Protesters in Melbourne on September 29)
Commander Read said the AFP would not tolerate crimes that embrace or incite violence based on race or religion.
“The AFP has been relentless in its search for evidence and intelligence gathering to ensure that those accused of displaying banned symbols can be brought to justice and brought to justice,” he said.
Commander Read said more than 1,100 hours were spent investigating incidents involving protesters allegedly displaying banned terrorist symbols.
More than 100 hours of CCTV evidence and police-worn camera footage have also been collected and reviewed in relation to the alleged incidents.
Commander Read said 13 individuals were under investigation for allegedly displaying symbols of banned terrorist organizations.
“Three search warrants have been issued against three individuals, while investigators have spoken to an additional three people,” he said.
Officers also seized several mobile phones and an item of clothing depicting a banned terrorist organization.
“While it is important that the AFP reassures and deters the community through education, the greatest deterrent is action,” Commander Read said.
Commander Read said 13 individuals were under investigation for allegedly displaying symbols of banned terrorist organizations (pictured a police officer at a pro-Palestinian rally in Perth)
The Australian government designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in December 2021.
The government also passed legislation in January this year to make it illegal to publicly display or trade Nazi symbols.
Performing the Nazi salute is also an illegal act under the new laws and the rules have also made praising acts of terrorism considered a criminal offence.
Commander Read said further charges are expected to be laid against other alleged offenders.
Footage of the protests showed several Hezbollah flags being waved by small groups of young men.
Others, including both adults and children, held framed photos of Hassan Nasrallah.
Similar protests were also held in Sydney.