The federal government has imposed counter-terrorism sanctions on a neo-Nazi group as pressure mounts over a rise of antisemitism in Australia.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions against online group Terrorgram.
Terrorgram is an international network of groups promoting white supremacist content and calling for violent acts to destablise society.
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It is the first time a group entirely online has been handed down sanctions under Australia’s counter-terror laws.
It now means it is a criminal offence to use or deal with Terrogram – which operates on encrypted platforms like Telegram.
Penalities include fines and up to 10 years ion prison.
Ms Wong said in a statement, “This demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to disrupting the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and preventing them from recruiting and radicalising people online”.
“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or violence.”
At least two attacks have been linked to Terrogram: the live-streamed stabbing of five people by an 18-year-old man outside a mosque in Türkiye in August, 2024, and the fatal shooting of two men at a gay bar in Bratislava, Slovakia in October, 2022.
The federal government has also re-listed counter-terrorism financing sanctions against four other organisations promoting nationalist and racist violent extremist ideologies.
These include National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.
Ms Wong has also announced sanctions on Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s new secretary-general and leading spokesperson.
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