Brisbane man charged for alleged anti-Semitic sign in window of home
Counter terrorism detectives have raided a Brisbane home and charged a man over an alleged anti-Semitic sign in his window, making him the first Queensland person to face charges under new legislation.
Police & Courts
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A Brisbane man has been arrested by detectives from the Counter-Terrorism Group over an alleged anti-Semitic sign displayed in the window of a Morningside home.
Police executed a search warrant at a Bundara St residence in Morningside on Wednesday and seized the sign – a flashing, electronic sign that was allegedly displayed in the window of the man’s home – a computer and a phone.
Peter Allan Flanagan, 52, of Morningside was arrested at the home and charged with one count of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification. He was also charged with one each count of serious assault of a police officer, obstructing police, and weapons possession.
Dramatic footage from Flanagan’s arrest shows Queensland Police Service Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) storm his Morningside unit on Wednesday.
Footage from inside Flanagan’s unit shows multiple neo-Nazi flags hung up on his walls, and an anti-Semitic electronic sign in his window.
The scrolling, electronic sign reads “death to” multiple minority groups.
A resident who wished to remain anonymous told the Courier Mail that they had previously made a complaint to police about a flag being posted outside the Morningside address.
Queensland Police also received a complaint in relation to a sign and a symbol being attached to a fence at the address in October 2023. A Queensland Police spokesperson said police attended and removed the sign.
“Detectives from the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group attended the address and spoke with the man who was arrested yesterday,” a spokesman said.
“At the time this investigation was conducted, it was not an offence to display the symbol and there was insufficient evidence to proceed with any other offence(s).”
The case against Flanagan was briefly heard in Brisbane Arrests Court on Thursday.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Mark Lyell said the charge of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification is a relatively new addition to the Criminal Code, and carries a maximum penalty of up to three years imprisonment.
Legal Aid solicitor Renee Smith initially told the court that Flanagan would be making a bail application and be brought into the courtroom in person.
However, after a brief delay, Ms Smith announced that Flanagan would not be applying for release and would remain in the Brisbane Watchhouse cells.
Magistrate Julian Noud adjourned the matter to the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 20 for a committal callover, for which Flanagan will be required to appear via videolink.
Flanagan was remanded in custody until then, meaning he will spend Christmas and New Year behind bars.
Ms Smith did say during Thursday’s brief mention that Flanagan already had other ongoing matters before the court.
Court documents reveal Flanagan is accused of “inciting hatred on the grounds of race and religion” for almost a month, between November 19 and December 10.
He is further charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, which relates to a flick knife allegedly found at his home during Wednesday’s police raid.
Flanagan is also accused of obstructing police when they executed their search warrant, and assaulting a police officer involved in Wednesday’s raid.
These matters are due back in Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 16 for review.
Following Flanagan’s arrest, Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond said everyone in Queensland has a right to feel safe and racial vilification would not be tolerated.
We urge people to remain respectful and we strongly condemn anyone who incites violence and hatred within our community,” Ms Pond said.
“There is no place for anti-Semitism or prejudice or hatred of any kind.
“As a result of a recent legislative change in Queensland, instances of serious vilification and hate crime are now criminal matters and police will act against those responsible.”
Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said the incidents of hate against Jews in Queensland has reached “unprecedented levels.”
“In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks and fire-bombings in Melbourne and Sydney, many in our community are experiencing heightened fear and anxiety,” Mr Steinberg said.
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, the roof body representing Queensland’s Jewish community, has praised Queensland’s counter-terrorism police for arresting two men this week in connection with separate, unrelated antisemitic incidents.
Mr Steinberg said Jewish Queenslanders deserve to feel safe and to live peacefully.
“It is deeply reassuring to see the outstanding work of our police force in identifying and apprehending individuals,” he said.
“With Queensland’s new racial vilification laws now in effect, it is encouraging to see them being enacted to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable. We urge all Queenslanders to stand united against hate and to show their support for the Jewish community.
“Now more than ever, we need everyone’s support to foster a society where all people can live free from fear and prejudice.”
A 19-year-old Victorian man was the first person to be charged with the offence after allegedly conducting a neo-Nazi protest in Brisbane CBD in August.
Detectives also charged another man after he allegedly made threats towards a Jewish community centre in Victoria.
Officers found the 52-year-old Holland Park man in the Yarraman State Forest on Saturday night where he was arrested and had his mobile phone seized.
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