A man has been charged with displaying a banned terrorist symbol after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag during a protest.
The 36-year-old is accused of waving the Lebanese organization’s flag during a protest in Melbourne’s CBD on September 29.
The rally was part of a national day of action for Gaza, with thousands also taking to the streets of Sydney and other cities as part of a series of ongoing protests that have remained largely peaceful.
A small group with Hezbollah flags – and some holding what appeared to be framed photographs of the terrorist group. – joined the Melbourne event as the speeches ended and people began to march.
Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike in September, amid escalating tensions in the region.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged the Ferntree Gully man on Friday with publicly displaying the symbol of a proscribed terrorist organization.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Islamist political party and militant group formed in 1982 after the invasion of southern Lebanon by Israeli forces that year.
He is backed by Iran and leads a multi-party alliance that holds just under half the seats in Lebanon’s parliament.
Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist organization by countries including Australia, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. The European Union only considers its military branch a terrorist organization.
However, Hezbollah itself makes no distinction between its political and military wings.
AFP’s specialist operation Ardvarna is in September.
Thirteen people are under active investigation for displaying symbols of banned terrorist organizations, with investigators seizing several phones and clothing depicting symbols of terrorist organizations.
“The AFP is tirelessly seeking evidence and gathering intelligence to ensure that those accused of displaying prohibited symbols can be brought to justice and face justice,” the AFP’s counter-terrorism commander said. AFP, Nick Read.
Officers spent more than 1,100 hours investigating the incidents, including reviewing at least 100 hours of video surveillance and police body-worn camera footage.
“While it is important for the AFP to reassure the community and deter through education, action is the greatest deterrent,” Read said.
Further charges are expected to be laid against other alleged offenders.
Australia designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2021, and in January this year banned the public display of banned Nazi symbols and symbols used by banned terrorist organizations, including the Hezbollah flag.
