Protester charged for alleged display of Hezbollah flag in Melbourne
Australian Federal Police have charged a man after he allegedly waved a flag from the banned terrorist organisation Hezbollah during a protest.
A man has been charged with displaying a banned terrorist symbol after he allegedly waved a Hezbollah flag during a protest.
The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the designated terror organisation’s flag during a protest in Melbourne’s CBD on September 29.
The rally formed part of a national day of action for Gaza, with thousands of people also taking to the streets in Sydney and other cities in a series of ongoing protests that have largely remained peaceful.
A small group with Hezbollah flags – and some holding what appeared to be framed photographs of the terror group’s slain leader Hassan Nasrallah – joined the Melbourne event as speeches ended and people began to march.
Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli air strike in September amid escalating tensions in the region.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged the Ferntree Gully man on Friday with one count of publicly displaying a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
Specialist AFP operation Ardvarna is investigating reports of protesters displaying prohibited symbols in September.
Thirteen people are under active investigation for displaying prohibited terrorist organisation symbols, with investigators seizing several phones and clothing depicting terrorist organisation symbols.
The AFP has put troublemakers on notice that crimes that incite or advocate violence or hatred based on race and religion will not be tolerated, Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said.
“The AFP has been relentlessly pursuing evidence and gathering intelligence to ensure those accused of displaying prohibited symbols can be brought before the courts and face justice,'” he said.
Officers have spent more than 1100 hours investigating the incidents, including reviewing at least 100 hours of CCTV and police body-worn camera footage.
“While it is important the AFP provides community reassurance and deterrence through education, action is the greatest deterrence,” Mr Read said.
Further charges are expected to be laid against other alleged offenders.
Australia designated Hezbollah a terrorist organisation in 2021 and in January outlawed the public display of prohibited Nazi symbols and symbols used by banned terrorist organisations, including the Hezbollah flag.
By: William Ton
