An Australian man is expected to face court today over allegations he shared propaganda and violent extremist material for the terrorist group ISIS.
After a six year investigation by the Australian Federal Police arrested the 65-year-old, who they alleged is a pledged member of ISIS, on Wednesday during a raid on his Carlton home.
The Melbourne man will be charged with being a member of a terrorism organisation; possessing and controlling violent, extremist material; and using a carriage service to cause offence.
Acting assistant commissioner Paula Hudson accused the man of being an “online terrorist propagandist” and “principal distributor of ISIS propaganda” after allegedly sharing about 10,000 files.
She wouldn’t reveal which platform the accused man operated on but said it had been an encrypted app and some of the content featured “mass excursions and murders”.
“We will allege the videos, photographs, audio files, and documents contained messages relating to abhorrent content, being executions mass murder torture and propaganda.
“As well as information about avoiding detection from law enforcement along with instructional guides on how to conduct Mass casualty attacks.”
“Let me be clear, terrorist propaganda is not harmless online content. Terrorist organisations like ISIS rely on online platforms to dispute propaganda and recruit supporters.”
“The content is specifically designed to radicalise individuals encouraging them to adopt extremist beliefs and commit acts of violence.”
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Ass Comm Hudson said the man came on authorities radar after the Victorian Joint Counterterrorism team and Australian Border Force received information six years ago allowing them to stop him at Melbourne Airport and seize his phone.
When asked if the time period for the investigation was typical Ass Comm Hudson said it was too critical for information to be collected.
She said there had been forensic analysis of his devices and the individual had been “closely monitored throughout that time” in a “covert investigation”.
Ass Comm Hudson told the media on Wednesday that AFP’s investigation remained ongoing and further arrests linked to the case weren’t ruled out.
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