‘Extremist’ is arrested at his bush home and charged by the terrorism squad for threatening ‘several Australian political leaders’
A man has been arrested and charged with encouraging terrorism after allegedly threatening multiple Australian political leaders.
Footage showed Wade John Homewood, 37, being led into the back of a police van after being arrested at his home in Tamworth in NSW’s north-east on Tuesday.
Police allege he advocated violent acts against ‘several Australian political leaders’ and used social media to urge others to carry out violent acts against groups he identified by their race, political opinion or occupation.
Wade John Homewood, 37, was led into the back of a police van after being arrested at his home in Tamworth in NSW’s north-east on Tuesday
A NSW Police spokesman said the arrest followed a investigation by its Joint Counter Terrorism Team into online posts featuring nationalist and ‘racist, violent, extremist messaging’.
The 37-year-old is charged with one count of urging violence against members or groups and one count of advocating terrorism.
He appeared in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday, where he was refused bail until his next appearance on December 10.
Detectives also carried out search warrants at two semi-rural blocks in the Tamworth area.
Investigators allege they have seized electronic devices and a variety of handwritten material which will now be the subject of further forensic analysis.
‘This man’s quantity of messages on online forums was of similar concern to the actual content of the messages,’ AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said.
‘[They resulted in] the very real fear that it would inspire someone to commit a violent or terrorist act.’
More to come
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