A Sydney man will remain in custody after being arrested over allegedly menacing social media posts targeted at politicians, with his case highlighting ongoing debates about civil liberties and legal boundaries in Australia.
Arrest and charges in the Blue Mountains
Theo Nolan-Isles, aged 37, was arrested in Valley Heights, located in the Blue Mountains, at approximately 7.20am on January 25. Police allege that he made a series of social media posts directed at politicians at 8.10pm on January 20. Following his arrest, he was refused bail during a court appearance on January 26 and has been remanded in custody since.
Nolan-Isles faces one count each of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend, and encouraging the commission of crimes. He is scheduled to return to court on March 23 for further proceedings.
Background: Car bomb incident and doxxing
In January 2024, Nolan-Isles was involved in a disturbing incident where a bomb was placed on his car. This occurred just days after his address and identity were doxxed online, reportedly in response to him flying a Palestinian flag from his utility vehicle. A note attached to the explosive device read, "Enough! Take down flag! One chance!"
Subsequently, a man was arrested in connection with the car bomb and sentenced to 12 months in prison in May of that year, adding a layer of prior controversy to Nolan-Isles' current legal situation.
GoFundMe campaign and defence claims
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Nolan-Isles' legal defence, providing further context to the car bomb saga and the recent allegations. According to the campaign description, Nolan-Isles became increasingly vocal about civil liberties, political accountability, and the limits of lawful protest and speech in Australia following the 2024 incident.
The GoFundMe states that he has expressed concerns about recent changes to public order and hate-speech laws at both state and federal levels, particularly in the wake of high-profile violent events. Nolan-Isles maintains that his social media posts were satirical and political in nature, strongly disputing police characterisations that they encouraged violence towards politicians.
Bail refusal and custody challenges
During his court appearance on January 26, bail was denied after the court cited prior matters and ruled that Nolan-Isles posed an unacceptable risk if released. Since being taken into custody, he has been moved repeatedly between different correctional centres due to overcrowding, which has made it difficult for him to maintain consistent contact with legal representatives.
This situation has placed significant strain on his ability to mount an effective defence, according to the GoFundMe campaign. Funds raised are intended to cover legal expenses, including specialist representation and court fees, to ensure a robust and fair defence process.
The case continues to unfold as Nolan-Isles prepares for his next court date, with ongoing discussions about the intersection of free speech, political expression, and legal accountability in contemporary Australian society.
