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AAP
AAP
National
Tara Cosoleto

Vic man charged with threatening senator

The Australian Federal Police has charged a Melbourne man with making threats against a senator. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

A Melbourne man has been charged after allegedly sending threatening messages to a senator.

The 27-year-old Brunswick West man was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers on Friday morning, with electronic devices including a laptop seized.

The AFP says the man was responsible for making serious online threats, including threats to kill, against a member of the Australian Senate.

The threats were allegedly sent via social media in September and October this year.

The man appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday charged with using a carriage service to make threats to kill and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

He was granted bail and is due to return to court on December 1.

The AFP is committed to protecting all members of the community including those in parliament, Acting Commander Anita van Hilst said.

"The AFP and its partners are working tirelessly to identify and prosecute anyone who breaks the law by harassing, menacing or threatening politicians, including those who work alongside them," she said in a statement on Friday.

"The AFP supports the political expression and freedom of speech, however when it leads to criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment, even online, it will not be tolerated."

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