Brisbane man arrested for ‘Death to Jews’ sign outside his home
The 52-year-old man from Morningside in Brisbane’s south has been charged under new hate crime laws.
A Queensland man accused of displaying the words “death to Jews” and vilifying non-whites on an electronic sign outside his home has been charged by counter-terrorism police.
Amid an alarming spate of anti-Semitic attacks interstate, Peter Allan Flanagan, 52, from Morningside in Brisbane’s south has been charged under new hate crime laws that came into effect earlier this year.
Detectives from Queensland’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group with assistance from Morningside police station executed a search warrant at a Bundara Street residence Wednesday and seized the sign, a computer, and a phone.
Mr Flanagan was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count each of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification, serious assault and obstructing police.
Police video footage shows officers storming a unit, where it’s understood they found Nazi symbols on walls inside.
His case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, where lawyer Renee Smith said Mr Flanagan would not be applying for bail.
“He already has a lawyer in relation to other matters,” she said.
A police prosecutor told the court the racial vilification offence carried a maximum three-year prison sentence.
Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond said everyone in Queensland had 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,” she 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.”
Laws passed in Queensland’s parliament in October last year banned the public display of hate symbols and increased penalties for hate crimes and serious vilification.
The laws came into effect in late April, making it a crime to display some hate symbols that cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended.
Magistrate Julian Noud adjourned Mr Flanagan’s case until January 20.
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