Counter-terrorism police charge Melbourne man after alleged Daniel Andrews death threat

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has broken his silence after a man was arrested over alleged death threats.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against the state government’s proposed pandemic Bill. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Daniel Andrews has criticised extremists spreading hatred, after counter-terrorism police arrested a Melbourne man over alleged death threats.

Imre Pelyva will front Dandenong Magistrates Court later this month following investigations by Victoria Police after allegedly making threats towards the Premier.

Police allege Mr Pelyva encouraged anti-lockdown protesters to bring guns to the streets of Melbourne as thousands of people rallied against proposed pandemic laws.

“We look at some pretty ugly scene out on the front steps and, you know, there are some extremists out there that are just putting out intolerable views,” Mr Andrews said on Thursday.

“Victoria police has charged some of them, as they should.

“That’s not democracy, that’s something very, very different.”

Thousands of people have this week protested against the state government’s proposed pandemic management Bill.

It is alleged Mr Pelyva made online comments urging protesters to “bring out rifles and shotguns” and “shoot Mr Dan f — k in the head”.

He also allegedly provided protesters with instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails and posted about “burning cop cars down” and “bash(ing) the heck out of them”.

Mr Pelyva will front Dandenong Magistrates Court on November 25 charged with incitement to manufacture explosives.

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed police were investigating incidents involving threats directed at members of parliament.

“We have seen a number of people charged over the past year in relation to threats directed at high-profile members of the community, including members of parliament,” he said.

“Victoria Police takes any threat against a person extremely seriously, including both online and physical threats, and will investigate incidents to the fullest extent.”

Daniel Andrews spoke out about separate violent threats made against him. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Wild protests have erupted in Melbourne, with demonstrators against the bill threatening multiple MPs, including the Premier and three crossbenchers in support of the pandemic bill.

Protesters have been widely condemned over repulsive comments and symbols displayed in the past week, including those who jeered when a blow-up replica of Mr Andrews was placed next to gallows on the steps of parliament.

Mr Andrews earlier spoke out about separate violent threats made against him and on Thursday slammed the state opposition for encouraging the violence.

“I’m so deeply grateful that some people have stood at the back door today professing to be constructive and to work together while their colleagues are standing out the front alongside extremists,” he said.

“That’s not democracy, that’s political games.”