Jacob Hersant (born c. 1998 – c. 1999) is an Australian neo-Nazi and the first person to have been charged and convicted for publicly making a Nazi salute in the Australian state of Victoria.[1][2][3] He is a figurehead of the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement.[1][2] The groups which Hersant are a part of focus on promoting White supremacy and far-right activism in Australia.
Jacob Hersant | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1998 – c. 1999 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Movement | National Socialist Network (2020–present), Antipodean Resistance (formerly) |
| Criminal status | Guilty |
| Children | Yes |
| Criminal charge | Performing a Nazi salute in public |
| Details | |
| State(s) | Victoria |
Activities
editMay 2021: Cathedral Range assault on hikers
editOn 14 May 2021, Hersant was charged after a raid by counter-terrorism police at a house in the Melbourne suburb of Rowville.[4] Hersant and a co-offender, Thomas Sewell, were charged after an attack on three hikers in Victoria's Cathedral Range.[5] Up to 15 other masked men attacked two passengers in a car and smashed windows. On 1 August 2023, Jacob and a co-offender, Thomas Sewell pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder.[5] On 27 October 2023, Hersant and a co-offender were spared further jail time and sentenced to time already served.[6][7] Following the initial sentence, prosecutors appealed claiming that the sentencing was manifestly inadequate.[2]
October 2023: Nazi Salute
editFollowing being spared of further jail time, in relation to his attacking hikers,[6] Hersant performed a Nazi salute outside of court.[8][9] Hersant subsequently became the first person charged with making Nazi gestures in public, under new Victorian state laws.[3][10] During the trial, lawyers for Hersant argued that the charge wasn't constitutionally valid as it violated the implied constitutional freedom of political communication.[11] On the 8th of October 2024, during a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, he was found guilty of the offence by a magistrate.[12] The magistrate who convicted Hersant stated that he would be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, but had not decided how long.[13]
July 2024: Train station protest
editIn July 2024, Hersant and 40 masked men stormed a Melbourne train station, carrying a banner which stated "Mass deportations now".[10] Following the event Hersant was arrested for "grossly offensive public conduct".[10]
Personal life
editHersant was reported to be 25 years old in April 2024.[14][15] He has a two-year-old son as of October 2024.[16][17]
References
edit- ^ a b McKenzie, Nick; Tozer, Joel (16 August 2021). "Inside Racism HQ: How home-grown neo-Nazis are plotting a white revolution". The Age. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Silva, Kristian (23 April 2024). "'Counter-productive' to send neo-Nazi back to jail over Victorian hiker attack, appeal court rules". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b Woods, Emily (16 January 2024). "First person charged over Nazi salute facing jail time". www.9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Cucchiara, Sam (2021). "Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell is 'prepared for and expects confrontation', court told". 9now.nine.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b Pearson, Erin (1 August 2023). "Neo-Nazi leader pleads guilty to attack on hikers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Neo-Nazi leaders spared further jail time over hiker attack". Nine News. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Neo-Nazis walk free from court, spared further jail time over attack on Victorian hikers". ABC News. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne man to be charged with making a Nazi salute under new laws, police say". ABC News. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Josh (27 October 2023). "Victorian neo-Nazis under police investigation over alleged salute for TV cameras". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Wang, Jessica (28 July 2024). "Notorious Australian white supremacist Jacob Hersant arrested at Melbourne neo-Nazi demonstration". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Vallance, Syan (10 September 2024). "First-ever Victorian charged over making Nazi salute launches legal defence in court". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Silva, Kristian (8 October 2024). "Far-right extremist who challenged validity of Nazi salute ban becomes first Victorian to be found guilty of new offence". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Leanne, Wong (8 October 2024). "Melbourne man found guilty of performing Nazi salute to be jailed". ABC News. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Silva, Kristian (22 March 2024). "Prosecutors seek jail over 'terrifying' neo-Nazi attack on Victorian hikers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Cosoleto, Tara (23 April 2024). "Appeal on neo-Nazi leaders' jail terms dismissed". 9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Wong, Leanne (9 October 2024). "Far-right extremist Jacob Hersant to be jailed for Nazi salute but length of sentence still to be determined". ABC News. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "Victorian prosecutors seek jail time for far-right extremist Jacob Hersant over Nazi salute". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.