A Canberra man has faced the ACT Magistrates Court today (15 May, 2025) charged with allegedly performing a Nazi salute in front of the Gold Coast Hebrew Congregation in October, 2024.
AFP Special Operation Avalite charged the man after an image of him allegedly committing the offence was found stored on his mobile phone, which was seized as part of a separate police investigation.
The man, 25, was charged with one count of perform a Nazi salute in public, contrary to section 80.2H of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of $19,800.
On 10 March, 2025, ACT Policing executed a search warrant at the man's residence in Gungahlin, ACT, and seized his mobile phone as part of an investigation into a number of road rage incidents.
The man was charged with multiple offences relating to the road rage allegations.
A subsequent review of the phone found a photo from 18 October, 2024, which allegedly showed the man performing a Nazi salute outside the Gold Coast Hebrew Congregation, in view of the public.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said antisemitic gestures, symbols and behaviour had no place in Australian society.
"The alleged use of the Nazi salute outside of a Jewish congregation is extremely concerning for police, as this gesture promotes ideas of racial superiority and hatred towards those of the Jewish faith," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
"I would like to commend the collaborative work of ACT Policing and members of Special Operation Avalite on their investigation of this alleged act of antisemitism."
"By working together, along with other partners and members of the public, we can and will stamp out this vile behaviour."
Under Special Operation Avalite, AFP officers and analysts, representing an experienced squad of investigators, continue to deploy nationally to investigate incidents seen to be:
- Advocating force or violence against groups;
Advocating force or violence against members of groups or close associates;
Advocating terrorism;
Advocating genocide;
Using a carriage service to make a threat;
Using a carriage service to menace or harass;
Sharing of abhorrent violent material;
Unlawful display of prohibited symbols; or
Using a carriage service to make available personal data of one or more individuals or members of certain groups (doxxing).
To ensure resources and capability are deployed efficiently, Special Operation Avalite does not replicate state and territory police antisemitism investigations.
Anyone with information about suspected antisemitic offences should call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
