Four Melbourne men have been charged after allegedly accessing and distributing ISIS propaganda online.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a Roxburgh Park man, now aged 20, and conducted a routine examination of his luggage at Melbourne International Airport on 29 November, 2024, following his return to Australia on a flight from Turkey.
During an examination of the man's mobile phone, ABF officers located suspicious content, and the matter was reported to the AFP. The phone was later seized for further examination.
As part of ongoing inquiries, ABF officers intercepted a second Roxburgh Park man, now aged 21, at Melbourne International Airport on 1 June, 2025, and conducted a routine examination of his luggage ahead of his departure to Turkey.
During an examination of the man's mobile phone, ABF officers located suspicious content. The phone was subsequently seized by the AFP for further examination.
It will be alleged forensic analysis of the devices revealed the men had been sending, sharing and receiving suspected violent extremist material (VEM), which included images and videos of previous terrorist attacks and other ISIS propaganda.
As a result of further inquiries, the AFP's National Security Investigations (NSI) team in Victoria - with the assistance of the AFP Tactical Response Team and Victoria Police - executed four search warrants at homes in the Melbourne suburbs of Roxburgh Park, Clyde South and Meadow Heights yesterday (7 May 2026).
At one of the Roxburgh Park properties, an AFP firearm was unintentionally discharged. No one was injured.
During the searches, investigators seized electronic devices and mobile phones, which will undergo forensic examination.
The two Roxburgh Park men, and two Clyde North men, aged 19 and 29, were arrested and each charged with possession of violent extremist material contrary to s474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth).
This offence has a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
The men appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday, where three men were formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court today (8 May, 2026). The fourth was granted strict conditional bail and is expected to re-appear at the same court on 30 July, 2026.
A fifth man, 21, was arrested at the Meadow Heights property and released pending further inquiries.
Investigations are ongoing, with assistance from the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT).
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said the National Security Investigations Team had moved to disrupt and intercept these individuals to keep our community safe.
"We allege these men were actively engaging in the sharing of this material inspired by ISIS, a terrorist organisation responsible for mass killings, and violent religious persecution," Commander Hudson said.
"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.
"The disruption sends a clear message - the AFP, together with our state, Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners are watching, and we will not tolerate any type of hatred in our community."
ABF Commander Operations Victoria Clinton Sims said this was another example of ABF officers' integral role protecting Australia's community.
"This operation demonstrates how intelligence and border capabilities are combined to identify individuals of concern and take coordinated action at the border and beyond," Commander Sims said.
"Protecting Australia's border is central to protecting our national security, and we will continue to work with our partners to disrupt terrorism-related activity wherever it emerges."
A priority for police and our 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.
