Fifth Victorian man charged over alleged ISIS extremist material offences

By Salina Pokhrel- Australia

Melbourne man arrested at airport following counter-terrorism investigation

A 25-year-old man from Meadow Heights in Melbourne has been charged following an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation into the alleged access and distribution of ISIS-related violent extremist material online.

The man was arrested at Melbourne International Airport on 16 May 2026 after arriving on a flight from Malaysia. He was later charged by the Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations team with possession of violent extremist material under section 474.45C of the Criminal Code (Cth), an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Authorities allege the man was previously intercepted by Australian Border Force officers on 5 May 2026 prior to departure, where suspicious material was discovered on his mobile phone. A forensic examination of the device reportedly revealed ISIS-inspired extremist content.

He was refused bail and remanded in custody. The accused is scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 August 2026.

This arrest forms part of a broader investigation involving four other Victorian men who were charged last week over alleged possession and sharing of similar extremist material. Police allege the group was involved in the distribution of violent extremist content, and investigations remain ongoing.

Ongoing investigation

Authorities confirmed that inquiries into the access, sharing, and distribution of violent extremist material are continuing, with further charges not ruled out.

Source: Australian Federal Police (AFP) & Australian Border Force (ABF) joint media release