The AFP has charged a Darwin teenager over alleged possession and online transmission of violent extremist material promoting nationalist ideology.
The youth, 16, is expected to appear in the Youth Justice Court in Darwin today (28 May, 2026) after he was charged yesterday (27 May, 2026).
The AFP's National Security Investigations team (NSI) began an investigation in December, 2025, after a report was made to the National Security Hotline about an online user allegedly accessing and disseminating violent extremist material (VEM) via social media platforms.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the teenager to the alleged offending and executed a search warrant at a Darwin home in January, 2026. During the search, investigators located several electronic devices allegedly containing suspicious material. The devices were seized for forensic analysis.
Following forensic examination of the electronic devices, investigators allegedly identified violent extremist material including videos, photographs and messages on the teenager's mobile phone and social media accounts.
As a result, the AFP executed a search warrant at a Darwin home again yesterday (27 May, 2026) and arrested the teenager. He was later charged with:
- Four counts of possessing violent extremist material obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of use carriage service for violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45B of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of use carriage service to cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each of these offences is five years' imprisonment.
AFP, with the assistance of Northern Territory Police Force, also allegedly located a prohibited weapon at the home during the search, which was then seized. The teenager was also charged with one count of possess prohibited weapon, contrary to section 6 of the Weapons Control Act 2001 (NT).
The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment.
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said the AFP and partner agencies worked tirelessly to disrupt anyone who attempted to possess or distribute violent extremist material.
"Early intervention is key to ensuring individuals are disrupted and our community is kept safe," Commander Hudson said.
"Criminal behaviour or actions which advocate hatred, fear, violence and humiliation, and attempt to erode Australia's social fabric will not be tolerated. Those who engage in this unlawful activity will be investigated and brought before the courts."
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.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the establishment of NSI teams in October, 2025, to target groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia's social cohesion, including the targeting of the federal parliamentarians.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
