In a significant development, a Sydney man has become the first individual charged under a newly established operation targeting anti-Semitic behavior. The 44-year-old, arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at his Blacktown residence, faces allegations of making death threats against a Jewish organization.
Following the execution of a search warrant on Thursday, authorities seized electronic devices and documents linked to the accused. The AFP claims to have connected the man to a social media account from which the threatening posts originated.
He has been charged with one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill and another for using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offense. The potential penalties for these offenses are severe, with a maximum of 10 years for the first charge and five years for the latter.
The accused has been granted bail and is set to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on February 26.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt of the AFP’s Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command highlighted that these charges are the first since the launch of Special Operation Avalite. This initiative, which began in December and involves 21 officers and analysts, aims to investigate threats, violence, and hatred directed at the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians.
The operation encompasses a range of issues, from inciting violence to advocating for terrorism and genocide. When announcing the operation’s launch, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw emphasized the importance of protecting Australians and their way of life, stating, “Unfortunately, in Australia today, those of Jewish ethnicity or religion are being targeted because of who they are. This is a crime. This needs to stop.”
The AFP has indicated that the community should anticipate further charges as the operation progresses, reflecting a commitment to combatting anti-Semitic threats and ensuring the safety of vulnerable communities.
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