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A Neo-Nazi Group And Hezbollah Are Now On Australia's Terrorist List

A Neo-Nazi Group And Hezbollah Are Now On Australia's Terrorist List

The federal government has listed the two as terrorist organisations and it's a crime to be a member or support them.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The Australian government has updated its terror watch list by adding a neo-Nazi group as well as the Lebanese militant group and political party Hezbollah.

The Base and Hezbollah are now considered terrorist organisations by Australia and being a member of either is now a crime.

It's also illegal to help the group recruit any members, be trained by them, or acquire funds from them. People who break this rule can face up to 25 years in jail.

The neo-Nazi group has been described as 'violent' and 'racist' and they have already established themselves in the UK and US.

It's led by former FBI and Pentagon employee Rinaldo Nazzaro and campaigners say the group is a 'ticking time bomb' after setting up paramilitary training camps in other countries.

U.S. Attorney detention memo

Australia's Anti-Defamation Commission Chairman, Dvir Abramovich, told 9News: "White supremacy in Australia a problem from hell. The Base and other neo-Nazi groups are a real threat to our safety and security and if we don't act, it will cost lives.

"These violent extremists are ticking time bombs."

He revealed the group and other far-right white supremacy groups have targeted 'disaffected' young white men into their ranks in recent years.

It's hoped that by listing them as a terrorist organisation it will prevent further members from joining and weed out the ones that have already signed up.

Australia's intelligence agency, ASIO, said right-wing extremists like those who have joined The Base now account for one-third of its investigations, according to the ABC.

As for Hezbollah, the federal government warned the group has been expanding in size an influence in recent years and they want to be on top of that.

The flag of Hezbollah.
Alamy

Hezbollah's External Security Organisation was already on the terror watch list, however the government is now including the military and political arms of the organisation.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said our terror threat level will remain at 'probable'.

She also revealed an attack could be more likely as the country opens up from coronavirus restrictions.

"That means that we have credible intelligence that there are individuals with the capability and the intent to conduct a terrorist attack here in Australia," Ms Andrews said.

"We know that as we open our international borders people will start to gather and gather in greater numbers in crowds and that is the sort of thing terrorists look for. I am not here to scare people, I actually want people to go about their lives."

Featured Image Credit: Supplied/Alamy

Topics: Australia