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][13] On the 8th of November 2024 Hersant was sentenced to one month in jail and then released on bail after appealing against the sentence.[14]
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]
Halloween 2024 Ku Klux Klan Stunt
editOn the 7th of November 2024, Jacob was arrested along with 3 others in relation to a KKK Halloween costume stunt.[15][16] He is expected to be charged with grossly offensive behaviour.[15][16]
Personal life
editHersant was reported to be 25 years old in April 2024.[17][18] He has a two-year-old son as of October 2024.[19][20]
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 Sweeney, Karen (27 October 2023). "Neo-Nazi leaders spared further jail time over hiker attack". Nine News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Silva, Kristian (27 October 2023). "Neo-Nazis walk free from court, spared further jail time over attack on Victorian hikers". ABC News. 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.
- ^ Pearson, Erin (8 November 2024). "White supremacist accused of Ku Klux Klan stunt while awaiting jail term for Nazi salute". The Age. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ a b Pearson, Erin (8 November 2024). "White supremacist accused of Ku Klux Klan stunt while awaiting jail term for Nazi salute". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ a b Abbott, Lachlan (7 November 2024). "Neo-Nazis face charges after alleged Bunnings KKK harassment". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 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.