Neo-Nazi Leader Released on Bail After Alleged Attack on Indigenous Camp
Thomas Sewell, a prominent figure in the neo-Nazi movement, has been released from custody after the Supreme Court in Melbourne granted him bail. The 32-year-old, who leads the white nationalist group National Socialist Network, faces multiple charges connected to an alleged violent incident at the Camp Sovereignty protest site on 31 August.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
After spending 72 days on remand following his arrest on 2 September, Sewell's application for bail was successful on Thursday. Justice James Elliott ruled that the prosecution had not demonstrated Sewell represented an unacceptable risk to community safety, finding compelling reasons for his release.
The court imposed several strict conditions on his bail, including a prohibition from entering Melbourne's Central Business District and a ban on communicating with any of his alleged co-accused. Sewell's fiancée, Rebecca Konstantinou, provided a $20,000 surety to secure his release, which she stated was funded from her savings and contributions from family and friends.
Details of the Alleged Camp Sovereignty Attack
Prosecutors presented a disturbing account of the events at Kings Domain, where the Camp Sovereignty protest was located on a site considered sacred to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. According to prosecutor Erik Dober, Sewell allegedly instructed a group of approximately 30 men with the words "let's get 'em" before they advanced on the camp.
The court heard that at least seven people were assaulted during the incident, with one victim reportedly held down and kicked while another was struck with a pole, kicked, and punched. One individual was allegedly thrown to the ground and kicked in the head, requiring seven staples to treat the injury, while another was hit in the head with a flag pole.
Legal Arguments and Opposition to Bail
During Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors strongly opposed Sewell's release, arguing that as the leader of a group with "a history of hate crimes and acts of violence", he posed a significant risk to public safety. Dober emphasised that Sewell's alleged "initiating force" in the camp attack could potentially result in a prison sentence approaching the maximum ten-year term for violent disorder.
Defence barrister Dermot Dann KC countered these arguments, stating that it was unfair for Sewell to remain in custody when 14 co-accused individuals had already been granted bail. He also noted that a trial might not occur for up to two years and suggested that any sentence Sewell might receive would likely not approach the maximum penalty. Dann argued that the strict bail conditions would sufficiently mitigate any potential risk to the community.
The decision marks a reversal from Sewell's previous bail application in September, when Magistrate Donna Bakos found that his release would endanger community safety. Throughout the proceedings, Sewell displayed his affiliation with the National Socialist Network, wearing the group's logo on his sleeve as supporters, including his fiancée, attended court.
