A Melbourne man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on allegations that a mobile phone linked to him contained violent extremist material, including graphic videos.
Mohammad Ahmadzai, 30, appeared by video link in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday following his arrest at Melbourne Airport on Saturday. He has been charged by the Australian Federal Police with possessing violent extremist material and with an offence relating to an alleged refusal to provide access to an electronic device.
The allegations have not been proven, and Mr Ahmadzai is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Airport arrest before overseas journey
The court heard Mr Ahmadzai, who is from Roxburgh Park in Melbourne’s north, had intended to travel to Afghanistan via Abu Dhabi to visit his unwell father. Border officials interviewed him at Melbourne’s international airport before federal police arrested him.
According to evidence outlined in court, the charges are connected to an AFP search of a Melbourne property in May. Investigators seized several electronic devices during that operation, including a phone and tablet allegedly belonging to Mr Ahmadzai.
An AFP National Security Investigations representative told the court that Mr Ahmadzai was not the original target of the May search. Subsequent forensic examination of the seized phone, however, allegedly identified material investigators considered to meet the legal threshold for violent extremist material.
Content described in court
The court heard the phone allegedly contained videos depicting shootings, mass casualties, beheadings and the cutting of hostages’ throats. Police also alleged Mr Ahmadzai had participated in an online chat group with other men where violent extremist material was shared.
Possessing violent extremist material is an offence under Commonwealth law and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The separate device-access allegation concerns the assistance investigators can lawfully require when seeking to examine electronic data.
The material described in court forms part of the prosecution case. No finding has been made about who downloaded, viewed or controlled it, and those issues may be tested as the case progresses.
Bail decision postponed
Mr Ahmadzai indicated that he intended to apply for bail. An AFP officer raised concerns that he might travel overseas and fail to return to Australia to face the charges if released.
Magistrate Samantha Seoud said further information was required from the investigation’s lead officer, who was not available during the weekend hearing, before a bail decision could be made. Mr Ahmadzai was remanded in custody and the case is due to return to court on Tuesday.
The next hearing is expected to consider the proposed bail application and any conditions that could address the prosecution’s concerns. Bail proceedings do not determine guilt or innocence; they assess whether an accused person should remain in custody while a case is before the courts.
Investigation remains active
The arrest is the latest development in a federal investigation concerning the alleged possession and circulation of extremist propaganda in Melbourne. The AFP has previously said its National Security Investigations teams focus on people and groups suspected of causing serious harm to social cohesion, while working with border and state authorities.
Authorities encourage anyone concerned that a person may be radicalising online or in the community to contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. Triple Zero should be used where there is an immediate threat to life or safety.
Further details about the evidence are likely to emerge through court proceedings. Until then, the case remains at an early stage and all allegations against Mr Ahmadzai are untested.
