Prominent ‘couch surfing’ anti-lockdown protester, 29, who broke border restrictions to help organise a rally in Sydney this weekend is jailed for eight months
- A 29-year-old Victorian man has been sentenced for organising Sydney protests
- Anthony Khallouf was jailed after he was caught planning protests this weekend
- Mr Khallouf is the founder of a protest group called ‘Australians vs The Agenda’
- Hornsby Local Court heard on Friday he had visited relatives in Sydney’s west
A prominent anti-lockdown activist has been jailed for eight months for helping to organise an illegal lockdown protest in Sydney this weekend, as well as multiple breaches of public health orders.
Anthony Khallouf, 29, pleaded guilty to breaching public health orders after he was arrested at Hornsby train station in northern Sydney on Thursday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Victorian man – who is the founder of anti-lockdown group Australians vs The Agenda – was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Friday to eight months in prison with a non-parole period of three months.
Anthony Khallouf, 29, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of breaching public health orders after helping to organise an anti-lockdown protest in Sydney scheduled for this weekend. He had travelled from Queensland to Sydney in breach of health orders
The court heard he had also broken border rules by driving from Queensland to NSW and had travelled to Sydney’s Covid-hit western suburbs to visit a relative.
Khallouf said he had a seven-day booking at a North Sydney hotel but was instead ‘couch surfing’ in the city while living off donations from his anti-lockdown supporters, The Australian reported.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to not complying with a direction relating to Covid-19, encouraging the commission of crimes, and false representation resulting in a police investigation.
Mr Khallouf is the founder of a protest group called ‘Australians vs The Agenda’ and allegedly played a role in organising Victorian protests which took place last year
Khallouf also helped promote anti-lockdown protests in cities across Australia last month.
He shared graphics on social media advertising the ‘Australia Freedom Rally’ and asked his followers to help him distribute flyers for the ‘Worldwide Rally for Freedom’.
Authorities have warned potential attendees of anti-lockdown protests on Saturday to expect heavy police presence at the rally, which is scheduled for midday in Victoria Park.
The Victorian man was jailed for eight months after he pleaded guilty to four charges in Hornsby Local Court on Friday. Pictured are anti-lockdown protests in Sydney in July
Earlier in the week NSW Police sent a stark warning to those planning to attend protests, threatening fines and arrests (pictured, police and ADF in Bankstown)
Earlier this week NSW Police sent a stark warning to anyone who planned on attending the illegal event to expect to be fined or arrested.
‘Police are aware of unauthorised protest activities planned for this weekend. Do NOT attend,’ NSW Police posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
‘Public safety is our first priority and you will be fined or arrested if you turn up #StayAtHome.’