Australian police charge seven for Nazi salutes

Members of the National Socialist Network perform Nazi salutes during a protest rally in Melbourne on June 4 2023. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY — Australian police on Wednesday charged seven men who allegedly performed Nazi salutes during a gathering at a club for Croatian expats.

Police in the state of Victoria said the men had been photographed making the “prohibited gesture” on February 8 at the Croatian Club of Geelong.

“The charges follow an extensive investigation into an image circulating online which depicted a group of men performing the prohibited gesture,” police said in a statement.

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“All seven men have been charged on summons for public display or performance of Nazi symbols or gestures.”

Croatian Club president Frank Sarcevic said earlier this month he was “absolutely disgusted in this behaviour and extremely disappointed”.

Many Australian states have outlawed Nazi symbols and gestures, helping police tackle a growing fringe of right-wing extremists.

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Major cities Melbourne and Sydney have in recent months been hit by a wave of anti-Semitic arson attacks and graffiti.