A Victorian man faces jail time after becoming the first person in the state to be convicted under new law over performing a Nazi salute.
The 25-year-old, who said today he “is a Nazi”, performed the salute last year outside a Victorian court.
Hersant’s salute was captured on camera in front of journalists and TV news crews a week after the gesture wasin the state.
He now faces a $23,000 fine or up to 12 months in jail.
Hersant
Hersant was charged for publicly performing the Nazi salute in October last year in front of the Victorian County Court.
He had been answering on-camera questions from journalists after walking out from a court appearance.
The move came six days after Victoria hada ban on Nazi salutes.
In the video, he was then captured saying “nearly did it… it’s illegal now. Isn’t it?”
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Verdict
Hersant entered the two-day hearing pleading not guilty to the charge.
Hersant’s lawyers argued that the gesture was a legitimate form of political expression.
Today, Magistrate Brett Sonnet found Hersant guilty, and said this verdict “seeks to protect minority groups from harm”.
Sonnet said given the case is the first of its kind, he would need time to consider the appropriate sentence, which he will hand down next month.
NSW
In recent days, NSW Police have charged a man who was pictured holding a poster with a Nazi swastika at a pro-Palestinian rally.
NSW banned the display of Nazi symbols in 2022.
The 56-year-old man has been summoned to appear before a Sydney court in late November.
