MELBOURNE: An Afghan national has been arrested at Melbourne Airport after Australian police found violent extremist material on his mobile phone, including videos showing shootings, mass casualties and the beheading of hostages.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested 30-year-old Mohammad Ahmadzai on Saturday as he was preparing to travel to Afghanistan via Abu Dhabi.
Australian Border Force officers questioned Ahmadzai at Melbourne Airport before his arrest. He lives in Roxburgh Park, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Police allege extremist material
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard that a phone belonging to Ahmadzai contained violent extremist material. Police said the material included videos showing shootings, mass casualties and the beheading and throat-cutting of hostages.
The AFP also alleged that Ahmadzai was a member of a chat group with other men who shared violent extremist material.
The case is linked to a police raid on a Melbourne property in May, during which investigators seized several electronic devices, including a phone and tablet belonging to Ahmadzai.
The AFP told the court that Ahmadzai was not the original target of the raid. Forensic investigators later identified material on his phone that they believed met the legal threshold for violent extremist material.
Afghan national remanded in custody
Ahmadzai has been charged with possessing violent extremist material and an offence relating to his refusal to provide police access to an electronic device. The possession charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison under Australian federal law.
Ahmadzai appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court by video link on Sunday and sought bail. The court remanded him in custody after prosecutors raised concerns that he could leave Australia and fail to return to face the charges.
Magistrate Samantha Seoud said she needed further information from the lead investigator before making a decision on bail. The case is due to return to court on Tuesday.
Australian law on extremist material
Under Australian federal law, intentionally possessing violent extremist material obtained or accessed through an internet or electronic service can constitute a criminal offence when the person is reckless as to whether the material is violent extremist material.
Australian law defines such material as content depicting, describing or providing instructions relating to serious violence that is intended to advance a political, religious or ideological cause, or encourage violence or association with groups involved in such acts.
The law provides exemptions for legitimate activities including academic or historical research, professional journalism and law enforcement. Accidental exposure to such material is not criminalised.
Australia has strengthened its laws governing violent and extremist online content in recent years, including measures requiring online and hosting service providers to report and remove certain forms of abhorrent violent material.
