A 24-year-old Kiwi has been charged after officers allegedly found extremist video content on his phone when he arrived at Perth Airport.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped the 24-year-old man for a baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from overseas on Monday.
Police allege the ABF officers found suspicious material including videos on his phone of multiple overseas terrorist incidents, and immediately alerted the AFP.
The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA JCTT) – which comprises AFP, Western Australia Police Force (WAPF) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) – began an investigation with assistance from the WA Police State Security Investigations Group (SSIG).
A review of the phone identified data accessed via the internet that allegedly constitutes violent extremist material, including videos of violent killings overseas linked to varying ideologies and videos about manufacturing home-made explosives.
The WA JCTT then executed a search warrant at a property in Perth's CBD and seized a computer.
The man was charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material, and was expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today.
This offence carried a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
Investigations were ongoing, including forensic analysis of the seized devices.
AFP Commander Nick Read said there was "no place in Australian society for violent or extremist content".
“Our top priority is to keep Australians safe from anyone who seeks to do them harm," he said.
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said a priority for the AFP, alongside JCTT partners, was to limit the accessibility of violent extremist material and promote education and awareness for those in protective roles.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a New Zealander arrested for allegedly accessing extremist material, and Scott Robertson has a new job. (Source: 1News)
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