AFP looking into overseas involvement in hate crimes
'We are looking at if – or how - they have been paid, for example in cryptocurrency, which can take longer to identify,' Commissioner says
The Australian Federal Police is looking into whether “overseas actors or individuals have paid local criminals in Australia” to carry out antisemitic hate crimes in our streets, commissioner Reece Kershaw revealed on Tuesday.
Commissioner Kershaw put out a statement after the conclusion of the National Cabinet meeting, at which he gave a briefing to the Prime Minster and state leaders.
“There is no doubt there is an escalation of antisemitism in Australia,” he said.
“Antisemitism is a disease in our community, and it needs to be aggressively attacked because history shows what happens when action is not taken against those who fuel fear and terrorise others.”
He said that when a community feels they need to self-segregate or hide to stay safe, “This has a greater impact on social cohesion and crime in general.”
Commissioner Kershaw outlined what actions the AFP has taken to address the issue and other measures it is considering.
“The AFP has established Special Operation Avalite to target high-harm antisemitism,” he said. “AFP-led Operation Ardvarna is targeting the display of prohibited symbols – both operations have made arrests and more are expected soon.
“Special Operation Avalite has received 166 reports of crime since it was established in December last year … currently Special Operation Avalite is investigating 15 serious allegations.
“All lines of inquiry are open to the investigations – including what anonymising technology, such as dedicated encrypted communication devices, have been used to commit these crimes.”
On whether overseas actors were involved in funding local hate crimes, Commissioner Kershaw said, “We are looking at if – or how – they have been paid, for example in cryptocurrency, which can take longer to identify.
“We are looking into whether any young people are involved in carrying out some of these crimes, and if they have been radicalised online and encouraged to commit antisemitic acts.”
He said the AFP was building evidence, “And I want to reiterate, more charges are expected soon by the AFP.
“We are regularly talking to our Five Eyes and trusted international partners about these issues and the AFP stands ready to provide capability to our state and territory police, who I know are all taking these matters seriously.”
Commissioner Kershaw was due to meet with state Police Commissioners on Wednesday.
Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson Senator James Paterson told ABC Radio on Wednesday morning that if the speculation foreign actors are involved is true, “It will be one of the most serious security crises that Australia has faced in peacetime.
“It either means that a transnational terrorist organisation is sponsoring attacks in Australia or that a foreign government is engaged in state sponsored terror targeting of the Jewish community in Australia,” he said. “And this claim will strike terrible fear in the heart of the Jewish community and other Australians who feel like they’re on the receiving end of this.”
Senator Paterson said it was incumbent on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “to say more about what he knows about this, when he was briefed about it, whether the National Security Committee of Cabinet has met about it, whether our intelligence agencies and our Five Eyes partners are engaged in this.
“Because it is irresponsible to put out such a serious claim without more substantiation.”
However later on Wednesday, independent Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender said the AFP had provided clarification and the situation was not as dire as Commissioner Kershaw’s initial statement had led many to believe.
“This afternoon I spoke with Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt, head of the AFP’s Special Operation Avalite. I have also spoken last night and today with the Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus,” Spender said.
“During the briefing, the AFP provided strong re-assurances to me about the breadth of their investigations and the resources they are deploying to keep the Jewish community safe.
“They clarified that the comments made about overseas actors were not in relation to a specific antisemitic incident that has occurred. Instead, the AFP were explaining that they leave no stone left unturned in their investigations and consider all possibilities about the sources and motivations for a particular attack. This includes investigating whether organised crimes or people overseas could be involved.”
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