Holland Park man charged for alleged threats to Jewish community
Police have released vision of the arrest of a Brisbane man nort-west of the city after he allegedly made threats towards a Jewish community centre in Victoria, which has now been named.
Police & Courts
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Counter-terrorism detectives have charged a man after he allegedly made threats towards a Jewish community centre in Victoria.
Police said they would allege the man made verbal threats to the Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre in a social media post on Saturday.
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.
“Initial investigations indicate the man was not involved with the arson of a Synagogue in Victoria on December 6,” police said in a statement.
Detectives from the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group have charged the man with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and he is due to appear before Nanango Magistrates Court on January 16.
“As a result of a recent legislative change in Queensland, instances of serious vilification and hate crime are now a criminal matter,” the police statement said.
“Where instances of hate or vilification are reported to police, investigations will be undertaken to prosecute those responsible.
President of Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre, Elyse Schachna, said the Jewish community was reeling from “unrelenting threats to our security and safety” and thanked Queensland Police for taking action quickly.
“We can confirm that there was a serious threat made against Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre in recent days,” she said in a statement.
“We would like to thank Queensland Police for their very swift action in making an arrest.
“Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre is a hub of Jewish life. Children attend Jewish studies classes, there is a Jewish library on site, and many of our community organisations have offices there.
“Our Jewish community is reeling from these unrelenting threats to our security and safety. We need all Australians to say ‘enough in enough’. We want to be left in peace to live our lives. We want an Australia where we are all safe.
“We wish to reassure tenants and visitors to Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre that, in partnership with CSG, we are doing all we can to keep them safe.”
Members of the public can report incidents of hate crimes and serious vilification to the Queensland Police Service through Policelink 131444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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