Man denies Nazi salute at Sydney pub, pending CCTV
A man accused of performing a Nazi salute at a pub is hoping CCTV footage of the alleged incident will help clear his name.
Norberto Trimestra outside Downing Centre, Sydney. Wednesday, January 8, 2025. AAP screengrab by Duncan Murray
Norberto Triemstra was arrested following an incident at the Criterion Hotel in the Sydney CBD shortly after 7pm on December 13.
Police officers were flagged down by security at the Pitt Street venue, who claimed the 68-year-old was refusing to leave and had performed a Nazi salute.
Triemstra was arrested and spent the night behind bars before facing court the following day when he was granted bail.
His lawyer Steven Mercael entered not guilty pleas during a brief hearing in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to charges including publicly displaying a Nazi symbol, performing a Nazi salute and behaving offensively.
A plea is yet to be entered for a further charge of refusing to leave the premises.
Mr Mercael told the court he is waiting for police to send CCTV footage of the alleged incident, which he said may help settle the matter.
Laws prohibiting the display of Nazi symbols were introduced in NSW in 2022 and carry a maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail, an $11,000 fine or both.
The laws have proven a test for courts in determining guilt and appropriate penalties based on legislation passed before state parliament.
Two of the first people convicted under the laws had their guilty verdicts overturned after a judge found their actions could not be definitively linked to the fascist WWII German regime.
The men were accused of performing the salute at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium in October, 2022, during the Australia Cup final match between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC.
A further three men were convicted and fined between $500 and $1500 each for performing Nazi gestures outside the Sydney Jewish Museum in October 2023.
The men had claimed the acts were a joke, with one citing a skit by British comedian Ricky Gervais in which he gave the salute.
But Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson found although they might have been joking or been “caught up in the moment”, their actions were against the law and cited a need to deter others in imposing the fines.
A 20-year-old man was charged in November with performing a Nazi salute in front of a protest in Sydney’s inner west.
Police allege the man displayed a Nazi salute and made threatening remarks in front of the procession of which he was not a part.
Triemstra’s matter is due to return to court on March 5.
