18-year-old charged over Nazi salutes and propaganda in Canberra
An 18-year-old man in the Australian Capital Territory has been charged following two alleged instances of performing Nazi salutes at Canberra shopping centres. The first salute reportedly occurred in October after a member of the public confronted him, while the second took place on 12 December at a different shopping centre.
In addition to these charges, the man faces accusations related to trespassing at the Australian National University in August and September. During this time, he allegedly placed propaganda-style stickers on buildings and other property, leading to two counts of damaging Commonwealth property.
The Australian Federal Police's national security investigations team executed a search warrant at a property in Weston, seizing mobile phones, a computer, stickers, storage devices, a video camera, and clothing. The accused is set to appear before the ACT magistrates court on Friday, 26 December 2025.
AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt stated that antisemitism is not tolerated and highlighted that the national security investigations team, established in September, focuses on high-harm threats to social cohesion. Authorities also outlined signs of radicalisation, including distancing from friends and family, adoption of extreme rhetoric or propaganda, belief in conspiracy theories, and increased engagement with fringe online forums.
