Four members of right-wing activist group the National Socialist Network have been arrested in Melbourne over a protest outside the Chinese consulate, Halloween costumes, and alleged online commentary.
Victoria Police including detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command raided the homes of prominent nationalist figures Thomas Sewell, 31, Jacob Hersant, 25, Nathan Bull, 23, and Will Casdorff, 21, on Thursday.
Mr Hersant, Mr Bull and Mr Casdorff were arrested and released after being interviewed, but are expected to be charged on summons for alleged “serious racial vilification and grossly offensive public conduct” over a Halloween party where Ku Klux Klan costumes were worn.
Police allege the group “dressed in offensive clothing” in a retail store car park in Port Melbourne on October 31.
“Instead of worrying about actual crimes, the police are trying to throw me in jail for a Halloween costume. The Jews have made fun illegal in the state of Victoria,” Mr Hersant told Noticer News.
Mr Sewell was charged with “intimidate a police officer/family member” over alleged online commentary about an officer filmed trying to remove the masks of National Socialist Network counter-protesters at a refugee rally in Melbourne on October 22 where activists held a banner saying “fuck off, we’re full”.
Protesters were pepper-sprayed by police and struck with batons during the rally.
Police said he was also interviewed in relation to alleged offences against the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act over a different protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Toorak on October 26 where the group demanded the extradition of a man who fled China after allegedly attacking a baby in a suspected racially motivated attack.
Mr Sewell made a speech at the rally after activists burned the Chinese flag, and posters of Chinese president Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong, and the fugitive wanted for scalding baby Luka with hot coffee in Brisbane in August.
“The Chinese government is offended by our actions demanding the extradition of the baby mutilator, and have asked Victoria Police to charge us under racial vilification laws,” Mr Sewell told Noticer News.
“Victoria Police are taking marching orders directly from the Chinese Communist Party to arrest White Australians.”
He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court in February.
