"A Sydney man has been charged with threatening to kill government minister Anika Wells and her family. A 31-year-old Bankstown man allegedly sent two emails to Wells' office in late November making direct threats to kill her and members of her family. The emails were referred by Wells' office to the Australian federal police's national security investigations team. AFP investigators linked the emails to the man, and he was arrested on Friday after a raid on a Bankstown home."
"The AFP's Det Supt Jeremy Staunton said the police had zero tolerance for threats and menacing behaviour towards elected officials. Freedom of speech and political expression are keys to a healthy democracy, however threats towards politicians, and particularly their families, are taken extremely seriously, Staunton said. Police have the tools and resources to identify individuals or groups who seek to promote hate and fear within our community, even if they are hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard or email account."
A 31-year-old Bankstown man allegedly sent two emails in late November containing direct threats to kill Communications Minister Anika Wells and members of her family. The emails were referred to the Australian Federal Police national security investigations team, which linked them to the man and arrested him after a raid on a Bankstown home; electronic devices were seized under a search warrant. He faces one count of using a carriage service to threaten to kill, an offence carrying a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, and was bailed to reappear on 23 December. The court did not hear details of the motive. The AFP stated zero tolerance for threats to elected officials and highlighted specialised resources to identify individuals or groups promoting hate, even when anonymous. The national security investigations team was established in September to target activities harming social cohesion, including threats to federal parliamentarians. Communications Minister Anika Wells is also facing scrutiny over ministerial travel expenses.
#threats-against-politicians #australian-federal-police #national-security-investigations #anika-wells
Read at www.theguardian.com
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