August 07, 2016•Update: August 08, 2016
MELBOURNE, Australia
A member of anti-immigration movements in Australia was charged with terrorism offences Sunday after raids in Victoria state.
Phillip Galea, 31, was charged with “preparing or planning a terrorist act” and “collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist attack” following his arrest Saturday, according to news broadcaster ABC.
He did not submit an application for bail at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, but said he would fight the charges, which he called a conspiracy against the “patriot movement”.
Although Victoria Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther confirmed Galea was affiliated "with a number of organizations" but refused to say whether they included any particular far-right group, a member of the anti-immigration True Blue Crew told the ABC that Galea was a member.
Galea, also linked to the Reclaim Australia group, was also jailed in November after he was found to be in possession of five Tasers, precursor chemicals and bomb-making manuals.
At the time police had executed warrants on Galea’s home ahead of rallies that saw anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters face off.
In the past year, Australia has witnessed a series of rallies by opposing groups during which violence has broken out -- prompting authorities to discuss a ban on face masks at protests.
