A 33-year-old Adelaide man has been charged with additional offences as part of an investigation by the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Counter Terrorism and Security Section (CTSS) and the South Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (SA JCTT), which comprises the Australian Federal Police (AFP), SAPOL and ASIO.
The man is now facing a total of five charges as a result of the investigation into Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremist groups in SA, and is expected to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 7 October 2021 on the new offences.
The new charges come after a review of information allegedly found on electronic devices seized from the man's home during a SAPOL-led investigation in April (2021), after which he was charged with three offences relating to the alleged possession of an explosive device.
Members of the SA JCTT charged the man yesterday (25 August 2021) with:
- Possession of extremist material, contrary to section 37 of the Summary Offences Act (Extremist Material) 1953 (SA);
- Possession of information for terrorist acts, contrary to section 83CA of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA).
The maximum penalty for the charges is seven years' imprisonment.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Scott Lee said the threat of terrorism in Australia is enduring and becoming increasingly diverse and complex.
"The AFP and its Joint Counter Terrorism Team partners take all individuals or groups who show support for violence seriously. We target criminals and criminal activity, not ideologies or backgrounds," AFP Assistant Commissioner Lee said.
"We continue to place significant effort and resourcing into combatting these threats and keeping our communities safe."
South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Noel Bamford praised the efforts of investigators involved in this investigation.
"The South Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team continues to monitor and take definitive action against individuals or groups who promote this type of violence in this state," Assistant Commissioner Bamford stated.
"The actions taken in this matter clearly demonstrate the ongoing coordinated and cooperative approach by all agencies involved in the joint approach to investigating these types of criminal activities."
Anyone with information about suspicious activity is urged to contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
