Man hands himself in to police after Melbourne parliament neo-Nazi protest

The update comes after a group fully covered in black clothing held up anti-Semitic signs on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House. 

A man has turned himself in to police after a neo-Nazi protest on the steps of parliament in Melbourne.

The group took to the steps of parliament on the edge of the CBD on Friday, copping insults and verbal attacks from members of the public.

When police arrived, the group ran away.

A 29-year-old man turned himself in to police on Monday night and has been released as police gather more information.

Images posted online show 19 people in matching black pants, jackets and balaclavas standing outside the parliament.

One man wore the same uniform but with a cap instead of a balaclava. His face could be seen.

The group ran when a contingent of police arrived. Picture: National Socialists Network

The group displayed a sign reading “Jews hate freedom”.

There were also placards on display saying “Stop killing people of Iran”, “another execution in Iran”, and a portrait of Donald Trump with fist raised after he was shot in July. NewsWire understands the Nazi protesters arrived before a separate group who were protesting against Iran.

In a statement released Tuesday, police say when members of the public called triple-0 and more officers arrived, the group ran away toward Fitzroy Gardens.

The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed earlier this month. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

“Responding officers were told members of the public who were present were outraged and verbally showed their disgust to the protesters,” a police spokesperson said.

Police searched a house in the suburb of Wantirna South, on Monday and seized “a number of items”.

The 29-year-old Wantirna South man handed himself in to police on Monday night and was interviewed “in relation to grossly offensive public conduct, Racial and Religious Tolerance Act offences and offensive behaviour”.

The public prosecutor will now consider the police brief of evidence.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea before the Prime Minister. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

“Victoria Police vehemently condemns anti-Semitic or racially motivated behaviour in our society and will not tolerate this kind of activity,” the spokesperson said.

Anyone with phone, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact police.

This latest anti-Semitic demonstration comes two weeks after the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed. Police are yet to make any arrests.

“Anti-Semitism, alongside Islamophobia and other forms of racism, is rising and has no place in our community,” the Human Rights Law Centre said.

“We acknowledge that this attack is one that has evoked terror within the broader Jewish community,” a spokesperson said of the firebombing.