A teenage worker from Canberra's National Arboretum has faced court on serious charges after allegedly performing Nazi salutes in public shopping centres and vandalising buildings at the Australian National University with neo-Nazi propaganda.
Court appearance and specific charges
Zachary Hook, aged 18, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Boxing Day where he was formally charged. The charges laid against him include two counts of giving the Nazi salute, two counts of damaging Commonwealth property, and two counts of offensive or disorderly behaviour on Commonwealth premises. The young man, who resides with his parents and works six days a week at the National Arboretum, did not enter any pleas during the hearing and was subsequently granted bail.
Police investigation and seized evidence
The arrest followed a joint operation by officers from the Australian Federal Police national security investigations team and ACT Policing. Hook was arrested and his home searched on Christmas Eve. During the search, police confiscated a significant amount of material, including mobile phones, a computer, storage devices, a video camera, clothing, and various stickers. Notably, the seized items also contained "White Australia" posters and stickers linked to the known neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Network.
Police allege that Hook's actions began earlier in the year. He is accused of trespassing on the ANU campus multiple times during August and September, where he allegedly pasted "propaganda-style" stickers on buildings. Specific targets mentioned in the allegations include the Centre for Arabic Islamic Studies and the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre.
Alleged incidents at Canberra shopping centres
The court heard details of two separate alleged incidents at Canberra retail hubs. The first is said to have occurred in October at a shopping centre. Police claim Hook was confronted by a member of the public while pasting stickers, after which he allegedly performed a Nazi salute before leaving the premises. A second, similar incident is alleged to have taken place at a different shopping centre on December 12, where he is again accused of making the salute.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt, who leads counter terrorism and special investigations, issued a strong statement in response to the allegations. "Anyone allegedly performing Nazi salutes is displaying criminal behavior that brings pain and anguish to the Jewish community and divides Australian society," he said. Assistant Commissioner Nutt described anti-Semitism as "a cancer" that demands swift and direct action from authorities.
Warning signs of radicalisation
In connection with the case, police have reiterated the community's role in identifying early signs of radicalisation. They listed several potential indicators that a person may be becoming susceptible to extremist ideologies:
- Distancing themselves from usual friends and family.
- An increase in extremist rhetoric or propaganda sharing.
- Using hateful or emotionally charged language.
- Developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues.
- Displaying extreme reactions to news or politics.
- Spending increasing time in fringe internet forums.
Authorities have urged the public to report concerns. For immediate danger, they advise calling triple zero (000) or police on 131 444. Suspicions of radicalisation can be reported to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
