Melbourne man charged for displaying Hezbollah flag at protest

The man allegedly flew a Hezbollah flag at a protest in Melbourne’s CBD and was charged as part of a continued crackdown on the display of prohibited terrorist symbols

Hezbollah supporters at the protest in Melbourne Source: Supplied

A Melbourne man has been charged for displaying a terrorist symbol after allegedly exhibiting a Hezbollah flag during a protest in Melbourne’s CBD on 29 September.

The rally formed part of a national day of action for Gaza, with thousands of people taking to the streets across the country.

A group with Hezbollah flags and framed photographs of the terror group’s slain leader Hassan Nasrallah were seen at the event after Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli air strike two days before the protest.

The Ferntree Gully man, aged 36, was charged yesterday by AFP-led Operation Advarna, which was formed after terrorist symbols were flown at recent rallies in Australia’s major cities.

The man has been summoned to appear in Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on 6 March 2025 to face one count of public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol, the offence carrying a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton has said that such action was unacceptable and the leadership in Australia was not efficiently addressing people “glorifying a terrorist leader”.

“If it continues to compound, if these people know no boundaries, then it will end in tragedy in our country, and that’s something that the prime minister really should be very cognisant of,” Mr Dutton told Sky News.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said he expected more charges to be laid as police continue investigations, after spending over 1100 hours on the matter.

Commander Read said the AFP would not tolerate crimes that incited or advocated violence, or hatred, based on race and religion.

“The AFP has been relentlessly pursuing evidence and gathering intelligence to ensure those accused of displaying prohibited symbols can be brought before the courts and face justice,’’ Commander Read said.

“While it is important the AFP provides community reassurance and deterrence through education, action is the greatest deterrence”.

Thirteen individuals remain under investigation for the same offence, three search warrants have been executed against three individuals, and investigators have spoken to three more people.

The police have also seized several mobile phones, as well as an item of clothing depicting a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.