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A young man from Queensland has been charged with distributing violent extremist content online, authorities announced today.
The 19-year-old was taken into custody following a coordinated raid by multiple law enforcement agencies at a residence on the Gold Coast.
He is scheduled to appear in court today facing five charges. The charges stem from allegations that he distributed extremist material to family and friends between January and April of this year.
Each charge could result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The operation was conducted by officers from the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, who executed a search warrant at the Gold Coast property yesterday.
Electronic devices allegedly containing violent extremist material were discovered and seized by police.
During an earlier raid of the same home in April, investigators seized two mobile phones, a laptop and a handwritten diary.
Following a forensic analysis of the digital material, investigators will allege the devices containing videos depicting violence and propaganda material for a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Authorities say investigations into the seized material are ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the community had an important role to play in helping prevent the radicalisation of young people.
“We cannot emphasise enough the importance of parents, schools, health and social services, and technology companies playing a role in preventing access to, and the consumption of, violent extremist material online and to spot the early signs of radicalisation.”
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