A man has been charged for allegedly waving the flag of terrorist group Hezbollah at a protest attended by thousands in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the designated terror organisation’s flag at the event in the city’s CBD on September 29.
The man from Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s south-east, was charged on Friday with one count of publicly displaying a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
The alleged offence carries a maximum sentence of 12 months behind bars.
Officers are also investigating other alleged incidents involving the display of prohibited symbols during the protests as part of a specialist AFP operation.
Thousands of people gathered at the rally in September as part of demonstrations in support of Palestine and Lebanon amid the conflict in the Middle East.
The demonstrations were held following the death of former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, in southern Beirut, on September 27.
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said officers have been conducting a thorough investigation into those accused of displaying banned symbols.
The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the designated terror organisation’s flag at the event in the city’s CBD, on September 29 (pictured: protesters in Melbourne on September 29)
Commander Read said the AFP would not tolerate crimes that espouse or incite violence based on race or religion.
‘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.
Commander Read said more than 1,100 hours have been spent investigating incidents that involved protesters, who allegedly displayed banned terrorist symbols.
More than 100 hours of CCTV evidence and police body worn camera footage has also been collected and reviewed in relation to the alleged incidents.
Commander Read said that 13 individuals are being investigated for allegedly displaying symbols of outlawed terrorist organisations.
‘Three search warrants have been executed against three individuals, while a further three people have been spoken to by investigators,’ he said.
Officers have also seized several mobile phones and and an item of clothing that depicted a prohibited terrorist organisation.
‘While it is important the AFP provides community reassurance and deterrence through education, action is the greatest deterrence,’ Commander Read said.
Commander Read said that 13 individuals are being investigated for allegedly displaying symbols of outlawed terrorist organisations (pictured a police officer at a pro-Palestinian rally in Perth)
The Australian government designated Hezbollah a terrorist organisation in December 2021.
The government also enacted legislation in January this year to make the public display or trade of Nazi symbols illegal.
Performing the Nazi salute is also an unlawful act under the new laws and the rules have also ensured praising acts of terrorism are considered a criminal offence.
Commander Read said further charges are expected to be laid against other alleged offenders.
Images from the protests showed several Hezbollah flags being waved by small groups of young men.
Others, including both adults and children, held framed photos of Hassan Nasrallah.
Similar protests were also held in Sydney.
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