A Sydney man is scheduled to appear before Liverpool Local Court today (22 August, 2025) charged with possessing alleged violent extremist and child abuse material on his mobile phones.
The AFP charged the man, 25, after receiving intelligence regarding his alleged participation at a gathering of right-wing extremists in Marsfield, NSW.
Further inquiries indicated the man may be in possession of the illicit material.
Search warrants were executed at various locations in February, April and August, 2025. Items seized included mobile phones which allegedly contained violent extremist and child abuse material.
Forensic review of the devices allegedly revealed the presence of the material, including video artefacts of terrorist attacks and videos depicting minors performing sexual acts.
The man is alleged to be a member of several online chat groups where the illicit material was discussed and disseminated.
On 21 August, 2025, AFP officers executed a search warrant in Holsworthy and charged the man with:
One count of possessing violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years' imprisonment.
One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Matthew Byles said possessing violent extremist and child abuse material had no place in Australian society.
"Possessing this material is not a victimless crime and only fuels further dissemination and the production of more harmful content," Det Supt Byles said.
"Offenders should be warned - everything online can be traced, and you cannot remain anonymous behind your computer screens forever.
"The AFP will not hesitate to lay charges if we identify individuals who possess this dangerous, illicit and harmful material."
