NSW man charged over alleged Nazi symbol and online threats

A man from Armidale in NSW has been charged by the Australian Federal Police over the alleged display of a Nazi symbol and a series of threatening posts made online.

The 30-year-old man is due to appear before Armidale Local Court on 30 March after being charged on 11 March following an investigation by the AFP’s National Security Investigations (NSI) team.

According to the AFP, the investigation began in November 2025 after authorities received a report about a threatening and offensive post on a social media platform. Investigators later linked the man to the alleged messages.

During the investigation, officers also identified an image of a hat displaying a Nazi symbol that was allegedly posted on one of the man’s social media accounts.

Police executed a search warrant at a home in Armidale on 11 March before charging the man. He was granted bail and faces five counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, as well as one count of publicly displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol or performing a Nazi salute.

Both offences carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment under the Criminal Code.

AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said authorities would act against people who used the internet to spread threats or hatred.

“Police have the tools and resources to identify individuals or groups who seek to promote hate and fear within our community, even if they are trying to hide behind the anonymity of a keyboard, social media or email account,” Staunton said.

The charges come amid heightened attention to extremist activity and online hate speech in Australia.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the creation of specialised National Security Investigations teams in October 2025 to target individuals and groups believed to be causing serious harm to social cohesion. The teams have been tasked with investigating threats linked to extremism, including incidents targeting the Jewish community.

Authorities say the establishment of the NSI units has strengthened the AFP’s ability to investigate hate-motivated offences, extremist symbols, and online threats across the country.