Terror suspect charged in Tamworth

With some parts of the community on edge some people are coming to the attention of authorities so serious, the New South Wales Police Joint Counter Terrorism Team swooped and charged a Tamworth man with offences including urging violence and advocating terrorism.

The 37-year-old man appeared at Tamworth Local Court today (Wednesday 24 November 2021), as a result of an investigation into online posts featuring nationalist and racist violent extremist messaging. He was refused bail to reappear in Parramatta Local Court on 10 December 2021.

It will be alleged in court that the man was a regular and consistent user of social media platforms, where he urged force or violence against groups of people, which he identified by race, political viewpoints and occupation.

It will also be alleged that he advocated violent acts against several Australian political leaders. Six news understands via the ABC that the man had targeted Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

The NSW JCTT began a formal investigation into the man’s activities in September 2021, after investigators identified potential criminal offences in multiple posts on social media and communication channels. As a result, officers executed search warrants at properties in Tamworth over the past two days. Investigators seized a number of electronic devices and a variety of handwritten and printed material which will be the subject of further forensic analysis.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said the NSW JCTT acted as there was sufficient concern that the man’s allegedly criminal messages online might inspire other people to commit violent acts against members of the community.

“This man’s quantity of messages on online forums was of similar concern to the actual content of the messages – resulting in the very real fear that it would inspire someone to commit a violent or terrorist act,” he said.

The NSW JCTT is comprised of members from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.