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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

Fourteen people investigated for terror symbol displays

A Hezbollah flag displayed during a Pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne in September. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Three search warrants have been executed and 14 people are being investigated for allegedly displaying a terrorist symbol at pro-Palestinian protests.

Australian Federal Police officers have trawled through 90 hours of CCTV and body camera footage and seized mobile phones and clothing depicting a terrorist symbol.

"If relevant thresholds are met, the AFP will provide briefs of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to determine if charges will be laid," acting commissioner Ian McCartney said.

Acting AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney
Acting Commissioner Ian McCartney said the AFP would provide briefs of evidence to the DPP. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The AFP is further investigating whether rhetoric over killed terrorists or events in the Middle East reached the threshold of urging violence or advocating terrorism.

A special taskforce, codenamed ARDVARNA, was set up for the rally specifically due to the volume of evidence and referrals that had to be assessed, AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

Police have spent some 1100 combined hours investigating.

There were 113 reports relating to the display of prohibited hate symbols between January and October 2024, which resulted in 49 further investigations by the joint counter-terrorism team.

Of these, 28 remain active but no one has been charged since the hate symbols legislation came into effect on January 8, Ms Barrett confirmed on Tuesday.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said a special taskforce was set up for the rally. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

The laws criminalise glorifying and praising acts of terrorism.

ASIO Director General Mike Burgess said while people waving Hezbollah flags may indicate they follow a violent ideology, "it might just be the actions of a misdirected individual who doesn't really know what they're doing".

Ten counter-terrorism operations have resulted in 15 people being charged in 2024, Mr McCartney said.

Of those charged, 11 were under the age of 18 and many were radicalised online, he said.

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