Three men have been charged by Queensland Police’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group over the display of Nazi symbols in the state’s south-east.
Key points:
- Three men aged 20, 21 and 42 will face court in Brisbane next month
- A racist banner hung over the M1 on the Gold Coast last November sparked numerous public complaints
- Police allege the men displayed offensive imagery in public on multiple occasions, causing damage to public infrastructure
On Tuesday police executed search warrants at properties in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong and the Gold Coast suburbs of Pimpama and Oxenford.
Among the items allegedly found were flyers, stickers, computer devices and a banner that police said was displayed over the Pacific Highway in Helensvale last November.
Police allege the men were involved in posting offensive imagery in public areas multiple times, damaging infrastructure and causing community concern.
“Our primary focus is on keeping the community safe,” Acting Detective Superintendent Leonie Steyger said in a statement.
“The public have a right to go about their daily lives without being subjected to highly offensive imagery.
“Those responsible represent the smallest minority of our communities, and my team will continue to disrupt and charge individuals who are motivated by this type of behaviour.”
A 21-year-old Toowong man has been charged with two counts of wilful damage, two counts of contravening storage measures and other precautions about access to restricted items.
A 20-year-old Pimpama man has been charged with two counts of wilful damage and a 42-year-old Oxenford man has been charged with one count of wilful damage and one count of public nuisance.
All three men are due to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 28.
Police are appealing for anyone with information about this behaviour to contact police.