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Australia’s domestic intelligence director said that half of Australia’s priority counterterrorism cases are dedicated to the far-right group, which lists the far-right neo-Nazi group Sonnenkrieg Division (SKD) and promotes violence. Said. Terrorist organization, August 11th.
This comes after the joint Research By age and 60 minutes, it became clear that the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network had penetrated Australia and that 16-year-olds were being radicalized by the group.
“This is currently 50 percent of our priority land-based counterterrorism case load,” said ASIO Executive Director Mike Burgess. Age..
“It’s about us. They’re middle class and well-educated. They understand ideologies. They look like everyday Australians and have their true ideology. It does not openly show, and does not openly show the violent beliefs or uses of violence that they believe are justified. “
In January 2021, members of the National Socialist Network were seen performing a Nazi salute at the Grampians and chanting relevant slogans. The group leader also posted an image on the social media of the member posing in front of the burning cross. Sydney Morning Herald report.
In addition, in March 2021, National Socialist Network leader Thomas Sewell was charged with assault on charges of attacking security guards at Channel Nine’s Melbourne office just hours before the TV news network broadcast an article about the organization. I did.
Burgess said the threat posed by the group was a concern and encouraged greater public awareness of the organization.
“Their ideology and what they believe in, what they are really inspired by about past events in history, how they want the world to be modified, and what they are prepared for. If you really understand what you’re doing, that’s a big deal, or some of them are ready to do to make it happen, “he said.
The neo-Nazi organization is a violent white supremacist inspired by the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party), which seized Adolf Hitler in Germany before World War II and linked it to the communist movement of the Soviet Union. Sticking to the ideology of.
According to the Australian Government Organization Like the SKD, it encourages lone wolf terrorist attacks on political, racial, and ethnic enemies, triggering an apocalyptic “racial war” and trying to create a global “white” nation-state. ..
According to The Age, there are a number of issues, including the blockade of COVID-19, which has been transmitted over an encrypted platform.[supercharged] Networking, rhetoric and recruitment of national and international white supremacists. “
“People don’t like blockades. They can protest it and use it to foster economic problems or bring hardships to people. It makes them susceptible to these ideologies. There is a possibility, people can be drawn in, they know it, and they will use it for their benefit, “Burgess said.
According to the organization’s website, the Nazi network is intended to be a “complete change in Australia’s trajectory.” It calls for a revolution and “doesn’t care how this is achieved.”
Age also reported that group leader Tom Seawell compared white supremacist Brenton Tarrant to Nelson Mandela and told members that the talent would stay in prison “until the revolution.”
In addition, group members are instructed by leaders to destroy evidence that thwarts ASIO and counterterrorism investigations, including network activities with members of the Biker Gang Network and other international neo-Nazi groups such as Combat 18. I am.
When asked about the potential for terrorist attacks, Burgess said ASIO’s rating was most likely a lone wolf or a small cell.
“This reflects global trends,” says Burgess.
“We have spent more resources on this threat. We are working on understanding and identifying these threats, which gives them an extreme idealistic view. You can tell if they are people with extreme idealistic views. Violence. “
“And our focus is on violence.”
Comments from Burgess came after former Interior Minister Peter Dutton stated in December 2020 that there was no difference between neo-Nazis and Islamic extremists and that ASIO’s claim to be tolerant of right-wing groups was false. rice field.
“We’re not going to take your feet off the throat of someone who is trying to kill an Australian, or, as you know, take someone hostage or because of their idealism. Whatever it is. I don’t care what their ideology is. “
The Home Office was asked to comment, but did not respond at the time of publication.
Victoria-Kelly Clark contributed to this report.
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