A sixth Melbourne man has been charged by the AFP's National Security Investigations (NSI) team as part of an ongoing investigation into a group of Australian men accessing and distributing ISIS propaganda online.
The Roxburgh Park man, 30, is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court today (13 September, 2026), after being arrested overnight on departure from Melbourne International Airport on a flight bound for the Middle East.
Multiple electronic devices were seized during a search warrant executed by the AFP and Victoria Police at a Roxburgh Park home on 7 May, 2026, and a subsequent specialist forensic examination identified alleged ISIS-inspired violent extremist material (VEM).
Following the man's arrest by AFP members at the airport, it is alleged he refused to provide access to his electronic devices when presented with a court order, issued under section 3LA of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
He was charged with:
One count of possessing violent extremist material contrary to s474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence has a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
One count of contravening a requirement in a section 3LA order, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
Further, it is alleged the man had been part of a group chat with other Victorian men - including four who were charged in early May, and another who was charged on return from Malaysia.
The men all remain before the courts with police alleging the group had been sending, sharing and receiving VEM.
Commander Counter Terrorism South Paula Hudson said the AFP and its law enforcement partners remained committed to disrupting alleged online extremism networks.
"We allege this individual was part of a dedicated online network operating within Australia, motivated by sharing and distributing violent extremist material, including ISIS propaganda," Commander Hudson said.
"Creating and sharing violent extremist material can be the gateway to terrorism. It desensitises individuals, including youth, to violence and creates a permissive environment to normalise hate. That's why the AFP takes this crime type so seriously.
"We know that intervening early helps to ensure individuals are disrupted before they reach the most serious levels of offending and prevent any potential for escalation to violence. To date, we have disrupted six individuals we allege are part of this online extremist network.
"Let me be extremely clear - this harmful content holds no place in our society. The sharing and distribution of extremist material, including images and videos of graphic acts of violence such as beheadings, shootings, bombings, rape and violent assaults is unacceptable in our community.
"This disruption should serve as another, serious warning to those fuelling dangerous, violent extremist content online - the AFP, and its partners in law enforcement and national security are watching - and we have never taken our focus off those seeking to harm our community. We will identify you and bring you to justice."
Investigations into the accessing and distributing of VEM remain ongoing.
A priority for police and partners is to limit the accessibility of violent extremist material and promote education and awareness for those in protective roles - including parents, educators and health care providers - to maximise prevention and early intervention options.
If you suspect someone is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).
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.
