A Carlton man has been charged by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) with being a member of a terrorist organisation and accused of sharing thousands of extremist media files and ISIS propaganda.
The Victoria JCTT, comprising of the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, arrested the man, 65, and executed a search warrant at a Carlton home today (Wednesday, 23 September, 2026) where a mobile phone was seized.
The man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.
The investigation commenced following a referral from Australian Border Force, who intercepted the man at Melbourne International Airport on 21 November, 2020, and conducted an examination of his luggage ahead of his departure to Egypt.
During an examination of the man’s mobile phone, ABF officers located suspicious content. The phone was subsequently seized by the AFP for further examination.
A subsequent forensic review of the devices revealed the man had allegedly viewed and shared ISIS extremist material on an encrypted messaging platform.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a further search warrant was executed in 2024, where additional electronic devices were seized for forensic examination.
Further analysis of the devices revealed the man allegedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS and performed the role of an online propagandist from Australia, sending about 10,000 files containing extremist content between November 2015 and July 2020.
The JCTT alleges the violent and extremist content shared on the platform included videos, images, audio files, documents and messages relating to executions, torture, and ISIS-propaganda purporting to be from battlefields.
In addition, it will be alleged in court that the man shared information about avoiding detection from law enforcement, along with instructional guides on planning and conducting mass casualty attacks.
Investigators allege the man’s role was significant, with the scale of the dissemination of extremist material placing him as one of the principal distributors of ISIS propaganda within the groups on the messaging platform.
The man was charged with:
- One count of membership of a terrorist organisation, namely ISIS, contrary to section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, namely by transmitting violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.17(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.45C(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalties for these offences include ten years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Paula Hudson said the investigation demonstrated the unwavering commitment of JCTTs to disrupting individuals who allegedly support terrorism and extremist ideologies.
“The material allegedly shared by this man glorified acts of extreme violence and promoted a terrorist organisation, spreading a hateful ideology that’s designed to radicalise others,” acting Assistant Commissioner Hudson said.
“Terrorist organisations like ISIS rely on online platforms to distribute propaganda and recruit supporters. Their content is specifically designed to radicalise individuals, encouraging them to adopt extremist beliefs and commit acts of violence.
“The AFP and our JCTT partners remain committed to identifying and disrupting anyone who is alleged to be participating in or supporting violent extremism, regardless of whether that activity occurs online or in the physical world.”
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services Martin O’Brien said the outcome should serve as a reminder that online extremist offending is actively monitored by law enforcement.
“Alongside our JCTT partners, the priority for Victoria Police is to ensure the safety of our community. It is an offence to access or share violent extremist material and authorities will act when these crimes are identified and hold offenders to account,” Assistant Commissioner O’Brien said.
“I’d like to remind the public that every piece of information is valuable to law enforcement. If you see something concerning online, please contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The priority for law enforcement is to ensure the safety of the community, and suspicious activity can be reported to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400; or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police also recognise this information may be distressing for some people in the community, and support is available. Anyone feeling overwhelmed is encouraged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
