Prominent neo-Nazi figure Joel Davis arrested in Sydney, group leader says
A message in a group chat by Joel Davis was referred to police earlier this month. (ABC News)
In short:
Neo-Nazi Joel Davis has been arrested in Bondi on Thursday, the leader of the group says.
The Australian Federal Police said a man had been charged over an alleged menacing message on an encrypted online platform to a federal politician.
What's next?
The 30-year-old man is expected to face the NSW Bail Division Local Court on Friday.
A prominent member of a neo-Nazi group has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the leader of the group says.
National Socialist Network leader Thomas Sewell told a neo-Nazi group chat that Joel Davis, who spoke at a rally outside NSW parliament earlier this month, had been arrested in Sydney.
The AFP did not identify Mr Davis but confirmed it had "undertaken operational activity in Bondi" on Thursday.
"There is no ongoing risk to the community," a spokesperson said.
In a Telegram message last week seen by the ABC, Mr Davis invited members of a group chat to "rhetorically rape" federal independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender with a link to an X post about the group's gathering in Sydney's CBD earlier this month.
At the time, Ms Spender said she was "not easily intimidated" but was "shocked" by the comments and had referred the threats to the AFP, which confirmed it was investigating.
Ms Spender declined to comment on Thursday evening.
The AFP says a 30-year-old man was arrested in Sydney on Thursday. (Supplied: Australian Federal Police)
In a statement, the AFP said its national security investigations team identified an alleged menacing message about a federal politician on an encrypted online platform.
It allegedly linked the arrested man to the message and a search warrant was executed on Thursday, with his electronic devices seized.
The man was charged with using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said it took all reports regarding the safety and security of parliamentarians seriously.
"The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression but let it be clear any alleged criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment, will not be tolerated," he said.
"There is no place for violent extremist views, and the AFP will defend and protect Australia and Australia's future from these threats."
The AFP said a 30-year-old man was expected to face the NSW Bail Division Local Court on Friday.