Coronavirus conspiracy theorist James Bartolo charged with incitement after dramatic arrest
Notorious coronavirus conspiracy theorist James Bartolo has been charged with incitement for his role in Saturday’s prohibited anti-lockdown protest, after footage of his dramatic arrest was live-streamed on social media.
Police & Courts
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A prominent coronavirus conspiracy theorist who police tackled to the ground in a tense arrest has been charged with incitement for alleged his role in Saturday’s prohibited “Freedom day” rally.
Footage of police storming the former bodybuilder’s home has emerged on social media less than 24 hours before the planned protest at the Shrine of Remembrance.
James Bartolo, 27, publicly shared a live video on social media this morning of police executing a search warrant at his Taylors Hill home.
He was tackled to the ground after refusing to co-operate with police.
Victoria Police confirmed the arrest.
“Police executed a search warrant in Taylors Hill this morning following an ongoing investigation into the organisation and encouragement of protest activity in the CBD this Saturday,” police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said.
“As a result of the search warrant, police seized several devices including a mobile phone and laptops, as well as five samurai swords.
“A 27-year-old male who was arrested at the address has been charged with incitement, possession of prohibited weapons and two counts of resisting police.”
Bartolo was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates Court on May 5 next year.
He is the fifth Victorian this week to be charged with the indictable offence of incitement, which carries a $20,000 penalty.
Bartolo has since told his following he was “all good” after the arrest and described his ordeal as a “bit of a pain in the ass”.
“Woke up this morning, jumped on the dunny, heard some knocks on the door,” he said.
“It was all the cops, they broke down the door, arrested me, they took computers, laptops (and my) phone.
“It is a bit of a pain in the ass. They stole my shit. Whatever. I’m fine.”
Since being charged Bartolo is now discouraging Victorians from attending tomorrow’s rally, saying it is the “worst possible thing to do”.
“It is a trap, duh,” he said.
“The 5th is a trap. Don’t go to the 5th.
“It is the worst possible thing to do. It is a set up from the get go. It is all just terrible. Don’t go to that one. What is going to happen, Dan Andrews will blame the protest for the lockdown extension. Don’t go to the protest.”
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