Key Takeaways:
- Far-right associates of neo-Nazis threatened to kidnap the Prime Minister and send bombs to mosques through the post after the Bondi terror attack.
- Police raids were conducted on two separate individuals, one of whom was a neo-Nazi associate, over alleged threats to abduct the Prime Minister.
- Experts warn of a growing underbelly of online extremism, with rhetoric escalating before Australia Day rallies.
- The National Socialist Network (NSN) has disbanded, but its members may be more volatile than ever.
- March for Australia organisers have been revealed as associates of neo-Nazis, despite denying the NSN’s involvement in the marches.
Introduction to the Threats
In the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, far-right associates of neo-Nazis made disturbing threats, including kidnapping the Prime Minister and sending bombs to mosques. These threats were made in an online chat room on the Discord platform, which was promoted by a key March for Australia organiser. The chat room was filled with neo-Nazis, and the threats were made in the hours following the terror attack. The police were quick to respond, conducting two separate raids on individuals who made these threats.
The Discord Chat Room
The Discord chat room, which was promoted by March for Australia organiser Hugo Lennon, was a hotbed of extremist rhetoric. The chat room was filled with swastikas, racism, and rape jokes, and pictures of the Christchurch mass murderer Brenton Tarrant were also shared. Experts warn that these are coded threats and a warning sign of outsized neo-Nazi influence on Australia’s right. The chat room was also used to discuss abducting the Prime Minister, with one user offering $10,000 to carry out the plot. Moderators of the chat room eventually wiped the server’s messages overnight to prevent it from being shut down by Discord for inciting violence.
The Police Response
The police response to these threats was swift, with two separate raids conducted on individuals who made the threats. One of the individuals, a neo-Nazi associate, was raided over a separate social media post that allegedly called for the Prime Minister’s abduction. The police are investigating both cases, but it is unclear if they are related. The police also raided another individual, Nathan Ballesty, over an alleged threat to abduct the Prime Minister, which was made online a few days after the Discord recording. Ballesty is a long-time associate of the NSN and has been pictured with prominent neo-Nazis at events and in social media posts.
The National Socialist Network
The National Socialist Network (NSN) has disbanded, but its members may be more volatile than ever. The NSN was a neo-Nazi group that was known for its extremist rhetoric and violent tactics. The group’s leader, Thomas Sewell, has been praised by March for Australia organiser Hugo Lennon for his role in leading the rallies. However, the NSN’s disbandment may have led to its members becoming more radicalized and violent. Experts warn that the group’s members may be more likely to carry out violent attacks, and the police are on high alert to prevent any further threats.
March for Australia Organisers
March for Australia organisers have been revealed as associates of neo-Nazis, despite denying the NSN’s involvement in the marches. The organisers, including self-proclaimed nationalist Bec Freedom and white supremacist Matt Trihey, have been pictured with prominent neo-Nazis at events and in social media posts. Freedom has denied any involvement with the NSN, but her fellow organiser Lennon has publicly praised the group’s leader, Thomas Sewell. The marches have been marred by violence, with neo-Nazis storming an Indigenous camp and allegedly attacking counterprotesters. The police are investigating the marches and the involvement of neo-Nazis in the events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the threats made by far-right associates of neo-Nazis after the Bondi terror attack are a disturbing reminder of the growing underbelly of online extremism in Australia. The police response to these threats has been swift, but experts warn that the NSN’s disbandment may have led to its members becoming more radicalized and violent. March for Australia organisers have been revealed as associates of neo-Nazis, despite denying the NSN’s involvement in the marches. The police must remain vigilant to prevent any further threats and ensure the safety of the public.
