Teen Becomes First Australian Jailed Under New Anti-Extremism Laws

A 19-year-old from Western Australia was sentenced to three years in prison for sharing Islamic State content online, marking the first conviction under 2024 counterterrorism legislation.

• The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to transmitting violent extremist material and using a carriage service to cause offence in the Perth District Court.
• He shared Islamic State videos of beheadings and audio recordings promoting violence and hatred based on ethnicity and religion.
• An investigation by the WA Joint Counter Terrorism Team linked the man to extremist content on social media and encrypted platforms, leading to his arrest in June 2024.
• During a raid on his home, authorities seized a mobile phone, a knife, and a black balaclava featured in the shared material.
• The Australian Federal Police emphasized the importance of public reporting in identifying and preventing online extremist threats.

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The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Broadcasting Corporation news.com.au