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“Online radicalisation is a growing threat,” says Home Affairs Minister of Telegram-based extremist network.
The Telegram-based white nationalist network known as Terrorgram has been designated a terrorist organisation by the Australian federal government.
Under Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, it is now “an offence to be a member of, associate with members of, recruit for, train with, get funds to, from or for, or provide support to, a terrorist organisation”.
Any such activity could lead to a 25-year prison sentence.
“This listing will give Australian police and security and intelligence agencies significantly more power to keep Australians safe and restrict the operation of extremists in our country,” Tony Burke (pictured), Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, said in a June 27 statement.
“Online radicalisation is a growing threat but the government has tools at its disposal and we will use every one of them to keep Australians safe.
“This group fosters and promotes an ideology that would seek to make some Australians feel unwelcome in their home, it is this extremist hatred which is not welcome and has no place in Australia.”
Terrorgram itself is largely decentralised, with members rarely knowing each other or the individuals they attempt to recruit. However, the group shares white nationalist propaganda, espouses violent rhetoric against minority groups, and provides instructions on how to carry out violent or terrorist attacks.
Speaking to the media, Burke said the network had targeted Australian individuals.
“If people imagine a big chat group dedicated to hatred and violence, it’s a situation where the members won’t necessarily know each other,” Burke said.
“They won’t necessarily know the people who they’re recruiting, but the concept of what they are trying to do is a direct threat to the safety of Australians, and there have been specific instances where this is being used in order to threaten Australians.”
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, announced sweeping sanctions against the group in February, alongside four other white supremacist groups: the National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division, and The Base.
“It is now a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram,” Wong said at the time.
“Penalties include up to ten years’ imprisonment and/or heavy fines.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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