Kiwi Man Charged Over Extremist Content at Perth Airport
- Perth, Australia – A 24-year-old New Zealand national has been charged with possessing violent extremist material after authorities allegedly discovered extremist videos on his phone upon arrival at...
- Australian Border Force (ABF) officers initially stopped McLeod for a routine baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from overseas, according to a joint statement from the...
- The officers reportedly found suspicious material, prompting them to alert the AFP.
New Zealand Man Charged in Australia with Possessing Violent Extremist Material
Perth, Australia – A 24-year-old New Zealand national has been charged with possessing violent extremist material after authorities allegedly discovered extremist videos on his phone upon arrival at Perth Airport on Monday. Brendon Donald McLeod appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody without entering a plea.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers initially stopped McLeod for a routine baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from overseas, according to a joint statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), ABF, Western Australia Police Force (WAPF), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
The officers reportedly found suspicious material, prompting them to alert the AFP. A subsequent investigation by the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA JCTT), which includes representatives from the AFP, WAPF, and ASIO, revealed data on McLeod’s phone allegedly constituting violent extremist material. This included videos of violent killings from various overseas locations linked to differing ideologies, as well as instructional videos detailing the manufacture of homemade explosives.
Following the discovery, the WA JCTT executed a search warrant at a property in Perth’s central business district, seizing a computer for further analysis. Forensic examination of both the phone and the computer is currently underway.
McLeod has been charged with one count of possessing or controlling violent extremist material, an offense under section 474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
AFP Commander Nick Read emphasized the importance of preventing the spread of violent extremist material. “There is no place in Australian society for violent or extremist content,” he said. “Our top priority is to keep Australians safe from anyone who seeks to do them harm.”
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge added that limiting access to violent extremist material and promoting education and awareness within protective roles are key priorities for the AFP and its JCTT partners.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to analyze the seized devices and gather further information.