A 43-year-old British man in Queensland was arrested and had his visa revoked after being accused of spreading Nazi symbols and ideology on social media, along with inciting violence against the Jewish community. Authorities have detained him pending a court hearing in January as they continue a crackdown on hate crimes amid rising far-right activity.
Australia's Department of Home Affairs announced it revoked the visa of a 43-year-old British man residing in Queensland and detained him at an immigration detention center in Brisbane. He faces multiple charges related to disseminating Nazi symbols, supporting Nazi ideology, and inciting violence against the Jewish community through social media accounts. The case is scheduled for court in January.
Tony Burke, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, stated clearly that the suspect "came to spread hatred and therefore has no right to remain." He emphasized that visa holders are guests in Australia and must comply with Australian law.
Police revealed their investigation began in October after detecting posts containing hateful symbols. The suspect’s account on platform X was blocked, but he created a new account to continue posting harmful content. Authorities raided his home in the suburb of Caboolture near Brisbane at the end of November, seizing phones, weapons, and multiple swords bearing Nazi symbols.
The suspect faces three charges for displaying banned Nazi symbols and one charge for using internet media to cause social distress and harm. Authorities are considering whether to delay his deportation to allow for a court hearing next month or to have him leave voluntarily. The suspect retains the right to appeal the visa cancellation.
Previously, last month, Burke revoked the visa of a South African man residing since 2022 after images surfaced showing him participating in a neo-Nazi rally outside the New South Wales Parliament.
Australia tightened its hate crime laws this year, imposing mandatory prison sentences for displaying hateful or Nazi salutes. Police emphasized they will act decisively against violators to protect the safety and strength of Australia's multicultural society.
/BBC