Stephen Ly charged with making threats to kill MP Anika Wells
A Sydney man has faced court after he allegedly made death threats to the federal minister who has been under pressure over travel expenses.
A Sydney man has faced court after he allegedly threatened to kill Federal MP Anika Wells.
Stephen Ly, 31, faced Bankstown Local Court on Friday after he allegedly sent two emails to Ms Wells’ office threatening to kill her and their family in late November.
The emails were then flagged to the Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations team, who allegedly linked the emails to Mr Ly.
He was arrested during a raid of a home on Friday, where a number of his electronic devices were seized for analysis.
Mr Ly was later charged with using a carriage service to threaten to kill.
He was granted conditional bail in Bankstown Local Court and will next appear on December 23.
Mr Ly’s bail conditions included surrendering his passport and being forbidden from contacting or approaching Ms Wells and any of her offices.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said there was zero tolerance towards threatening politicians.
“Freedom of speech and political expression are keys to a healthy democracy, however threats towards politicians, and particularly their families, are taken extremely seriously,” Det Supt Staunton said.
“Police have the tools and resources to identify individuals or groups who seek to promote hate and fear within our community, even if they are hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard or email account.”
The arrest comes after the AFP created the National Security Investigations teams in September this year, with the aim of targeting groups and individuals affecting the country’s social cohesion, including threatening federal politicians.
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Originally published as Stephen Ly charged with making threats to kill MP Anika Wells
