A man charged with allegedly harassing a Bondi royal commission witness was found in possession of Neo-Nazi material and leaflets for a now proscribed hate group.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested 59-year-old Gavin Begbie at Woodburn in northern NSW on Thursday over three alleged offensive emails to a witness appearing before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
WARNING: The following story contains an image of a hate symbol.
During the search warrant in Woodburn, police seized two prohibited weapons — a knife and whip — as well as leaflets for the National Socialist Network (NSN) and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
The NSN were proscribed as a hate group in May under new laws passed through parliament in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack in December last year.
Police said they also allegedly found instructions on making explosives which were seized from Woodburn for further examination.
Mr Begbie has been charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and one count of intimidating a witness.
During the search warrant police seized leaflets for the National Socialist Network and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. (Supplied: AFP)
Officers also seized a knife. (Supplied: AFP)
The royal commission is examining the circumstances of the terror attack, where 15 people were killed in the shooting, which occurred during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The inquiry will also examine the spread of antisemitism in Australia that preceded it, with many of the witnesses so far being Jewish Australians.
Charge comes after scathing warning
The AFP’s National Security Investigations team had received a report about the alleged offensive emails in May.
“Using violence, threats or intimidation towards a witness in any proceeding, including before a royal commission, undermines important processes,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said.
“People who believe they can threaten or harass people appearing before royal commissions, or before any sector of the judicial system need to be aware the AFP has the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts.”
In May, Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell issued a scathing warning to people who intimidated and harassed witnesses who had given evidence to the inquiry.
“The commission is keeping close eye on these instances and recording these offensive social media posts,” she said at the time.
