A Canberra man is expected to appear before ACT Magistrate's Court today (Friday 26 December, 2025) charged with allegedly performing Nazi salutes in public, trespassing and defacing Commonwealth property.
The Weston man, 18, allegedly performed two separate Nazi salutes directed towards individuals at suburban Canberra shopping centres in recent months.
He also allegedly trespassed at the Australian National University multiple times in August and September and stuck propaganda-style stickers on buildings and other property.
Police will allege in October a member of the public confronted the man as he stuck stickers up at a shopping centre and the man performed a Nazi salute before leaving the centre.
The man allegedly performed another Nazi salute on 12 December at a different shopping centre.
An AFP National Security Investigations team, with support from ACT Policing, executed a search warrant at a property in Weston on Wednesday 24 December, 2025.
Officers seized mobile phones, a computer, stickers, storage devices, a video camera and clothing.
The man was charged with:
- Two counts of public display of prohibited Nazi symbols or giving Nazi salute, contrary to section 80.2H of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and is subject to mandatory minimum sentencing provisions;
- Two counts of damaging Commonwealth property, contrary to section 132.8A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment;
- Two counts of offensive or disorderly behavior on Commonwealth premises, contrary to section 12(2)(b) of the Public Order (Protection of Persons and Property) Act 1971, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 penalty units.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism & Special Investigations Stephen Nutt said antisemitism was not tolerated in Australia.
"Anyone allegedly performing Nazi salutes is displaying criminal behavior that brings pain and anguish to the Jewish community and divides Australian society," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
"The AFP established the National Security Investigations team in September to target groups and individuals causing high harm to Australia's social cohesion including attempts to vilify marginalised communities.
"Antisemitism is a cancer that requires swift and direct action, which is what the AFP is continuing to do. Along with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to stopping hate, division and violence in the community."
Signs a person may be susceptible to radicalisation include:
- distancing themselves from their usual friends and family members;
- an increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric or propaganda they propagate;
- a child using hateful or emotionally charged language;
- developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues;
- displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics, or
- spending increasing amounts of time in fringe forums on the internet.
The AFP remains vigilant and ready to respond to threats of radicalisation and extremism among vulnerable young people.
If you believe someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or local police (131 444). If you suspect someone is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
For anonymous reporting, visit the Crime Stoppers website or call the toll free number 1800 333 000.
