Neo-Nazi arrested following antisemitic protest in Melbourne
The alleged leader a neo-Nazi protest on the steps of the Victorian state parliament on Friday evening has surrendered himself to Victoria Police.
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The 29-year-old man turned himself in on Monday night and has been released as police gather more information. He was interviewed “in relation to grossly offensive public conduct, Racial and Religious Tolerance Act offences and offensive behaviour”.
On Monday, following the arrest of the protest leader, Victoria Police searched a house in Wantirna South under a search warrant and confiscated “a number of items”.
The group of nineteen held antisemitic signs, wore neo-Nazi clothing and the leader made a highly antisemitic speech. The group displayed a large banner reading “Jews hate freedom”. Placards read “Stop killing people of Iran” and “another execution in Iran”.
Members of the public reportedly hurled insults and verbal attacks at the neo-Nazi group. But when Victoria Police arrived after a call to triple-0, the group ran toward the Fitzroy Gardens escape arrest.
The lead speaker at the event wore the same black uniform as the others in the group but wore a cap instead of a balaclava as worn by the others. Unlike his henchmen, his face could be seen. The police investigation remains ongoing while police work to identify others involved in the protest.
A Victoria Police spokesman said, “Responding officers were told members of the public who were present were outraged and verbally showed their disgust to the protesters.”
“Victoria Police vehemently condemns anti-Semitic or racially motivated behaviour in our society and will not tolerate this kind of activity.”
This incident followed two weeks after the fire-bombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue Ripponlea, for which police are yet to make an arrest.
The police have asked that anyone with information which can assist police, or who has CCTV, or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
