Members of the Ukranian Australian community want police to do more to protect them from right-wing extremism after a man was assaulted at a rally in Sydney earlier this week.
A 76-year-old was pushed to the ground, hitting his head, after an altercation with pro-Russia online commentator Simeon Boikov who uses the online alias “Aussie Cossack”.
Videos provided to Crikey show Boikov filming protesters up close. The footage appears to show Boikov pushing a 76-year-old down a small set of stairs. The man was taken to hospital and was released on Wednesday. Police said he was “not seriously injured”. Boikov has been charged with assault and claims he was acting in self-defence.
Rally organiser for the Australia for Ukraine community group Anton Bogdanovych told Crikey that police “need to do more” to protect Ukrainian rallygoers and is concerned about the presence of right-wing extremism in NSW.
“We had some people who escaped Ukraine and just experienced all the horrors of war and then experience this,” he said. “It’s just atrocious.”
Tuesday’s rally was outside the Australian Red Cross and was calling for the organisation to denounce the Russian Red Cross which has been fundraising to “alleviate the plight” of Russian soldiers’ families and reportedly gave out pro-Putin merchandise to Ukrainian refugees earlier this year.
A similar rally which was scheduled to take place today has been cancelled due to safety concerns.
The Australian Red Cross told Crikey it took concerns from the Ukrainian community seriously and has been seeking information to clarify the issues raised.
“The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement follows a set of fundamental principles which guide its approach to humanitarian action worldwide,” it said. “Included in these are the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, which are essential to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need in armed conflicts and other emergencies.
“As part of the Red Cross fundamental principle of neutrality, Australian Red Cross refrains from commenting publicly on issues arising from the conflict — even within Australia.”
In April, objects were thrown at Ukrainian supporters as they protested outside the German embassy in Sydney against Germany stopping the gas and oil embargo in Europe. One woman was treated for a cut to the head after being hit by the object, which Bogdanovych said looked like a metal bolt.
Pro-Russian rallies took place in Sydney in March, and in September pro-Russian supporters brought photos of Vladimir Putin to an anti-vaxxer rally. Earlier this month, protesters raised a Russian flag in Jegorow Reserve in Haberfield, in Sydney’s Inner West Council area, with several protesters wearing shirts with a large “Z” on them. This symbol has been painted on Russian armed forces vehicles during the invasion of Ukraine.
NSW Police told Crikey it “recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and lawful assembly in a safe environment”.
“The NSW police force often works with protest organisers and community groups before — and during — protests to ensure their right to protest in a lawful and peaceful manner is met, and public safety is maintained with minimal danger or disruption to the wider community,” it said.
Bogdanovych is calling for a crackdown on pro-Russian insignia to address extremism. Swastikas have recently been graffitied outside a preschool in a predominantly Jewish area, in a Woolworths in Sydney, and were drawn on a Year 7 student during a hazing ritual at Sydney’s Waverley College.
In August, the NSW government introduced legislation making it a criminal offence to knowingly display a Nazi symbol in public. Those who break the law face a fine of up to $11,000 and 12 months in prison. The “Z” symbol has been banned in several countries in Europe, including Lithuania, Latvia and Germany, but it remains legal to publicly display in Australia.
“That should be criminalised as well. This is a flag of war crimes,” Bogdanovych said.
NSW Police declined to say whether anyone has been charged with the new offence.
Should displaying the “Z” symbol be illegal in Australia? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
