A 39-year-old Perth man has been charged with racial harassment after allegedly posting an antisemitic social media message supporting the Bondi beach terror attack. Martin Thomas Glynn was arrested in the suburb of Yangebup and appeared before Fremantle magistrates court on Wednesday.
Police said they raided Glynn’s home on Tuesday, seizing several firearms, large quantities of ammunition, and flags linked to banned terrorist organisations Hezbollah and Hamas. He faces charges of conduct intended to racially harass, carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon, and failing to properly store a firearm.
The alleged post came hours after the 14 December attack at Bondi beach, where two gunmen killed 15 people, targeting a crowd of Jewish faithful celebrating Hanukah. Western Australia’s police minister, Reece Whitby, condemned the post, stating: 'Words are dangerous. Words have potential to lead to catastrophic outcomes.'
Whitby thanked the member of the public who reported the post, saying community engagement was critical. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised police for acting quickly, reiterating that there is 'no place in Australia for antisemitism, hate and violent ideologies.'
Police said Glynn held a gun licence for hunting, and most of his firearms were registered, but officers have initiated a process to cancel his permit. Commissioner Col Blanch stated there is no evidence of an ongoing threat or network, describing Glynn as an individual who made comments online. Glynn was remanded in custody and is due back in court in February.
