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Brisbane teen faces court on terrorism charges after violent extremist material and chemicals allegedly seized Brisbane teen faces court on terrorism charges after violent extremist material and chemicals allegedly seized
(about 3 hours later)
Max Belter, 18, had a document linked to ‘proscribed terrorist organisations’ on his electronic devices, police allegeMax Belter, 18, had a document linked to ‘proscribed terrorist organisations’ on his electronic devices, police allege
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A teenager charged with terrorism offences has wept in court after violent extremist material and chemicals for explosives were allegedly found during a police raid. A Queensland teenager charged with terrorism offences has been granted bail after police allegedly seized violent extremist material including an Islamic State video and chemicals for explosives.
Max Belter, 18, appeared in a green prison jumper in Brisbane magistrates court on Thursday after a joint terrorism taskforce searched his property at The Gap in Brisbane’s north. Max Belter, 18, appeared in a green prison jumper in Brisbane magistrates court on Thursday after a joint terrorism taskforce raided his property at The Gap in Brisbane’s north.
He has been charged with two counts of possessing and controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
Belter had a video and a document linked to “proscribed terrorist organisations” on his electronic devices, police alleged.Belter had a video and a document linked to “proscribed terrorist organisations” on his electronic devices, police alleged.
Devices containing a “large amount” of data, books associated with nationalist and racist violent extremism, and chemicals were among the items seized in Tuesday’s raid, investigators said. This included a 30-minute Islamic State instructional video on how to stab a person to death, demonstrated on a live victim, which ends with the person being decapitated, the court heard.
Belter became emotional soon after entering court with his parents present as he applied for bail.
The 18-year-old broke down when he was escorted into court before dropping his head and covering his face with his hands.
His father sobbed as he watched the proceedings.
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Defence counsel Samuel Bain said exceptional circumstances should apply to his client for bail, including his age, lack of criminal history, support in court and ability to undertake bail at the family home. He also had a 256-page document that included detailed instructions for lone terrorist acts and acts of civil disobedience designed to target minority groups and targets of societal significance, including government buildings and infrastructure, the court heard.
But commonwealth prosecutor Ellie McDonald argued Belter was an unacceptable risk to the community based on his alleged offending. The court also heard Belter possessed a range of books of a racist and extremist nature, including Mein Kampf, the Anarchist Cookbook, the International Jew – a collection of antisemitic writings published by Henry Ford – and Unabomber Ted Kaczynski’s Industrial Society and its Future.
McDonald said an extensive review of devices seized had not been undertaken. Commonwealth prosecutor Ellie McDonald argued Belter was an unacceptable risk to the community based on his alleged offending and should not be granted bail.
But she said an initial review had identified extensive materials “indicative of deep ideological alignment” with nationalist extremism. She said an extensive review of devices seized had not been undertaken but an initial review had identified extensive materials “indicative of deep ideological alignment” with nationalist extremism.
“Over 50 documents were identified relating to the construction of explosives and firearms,” she told the magistrate Rosemary Gilbert.“Over 50 documents were identified relating to the construction of explosives and firearms,” she told the magistrate Rosemary Gilbert.
Belter had shown a “strong” interest in violence and was found in possession of a horrific 30-minute video, McDonald said.
He was also alleged to have stored chemicals in his cupboard necessary to build an improvised explosive device.He was also alleged to have stored chemicals in his cupboard necessary to build an improvised explosive device.
“The defendant is alleged to have encouraged others to engage in violent behaviour, enlivening an additional risk that the defendant may encourage others to commit violence in addition to his own personal conduct,” McDonald said.
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Belter is also alleged to have used the dark web to source information. Gilbert ruled that Belter’s defence counsel, Samuel Bain, had demonstrated that “exceptional circumstances” existed to justify granting bail.
“The defendant has not shown that there are exceptional circumstances and bail should be refused,” McDonald said. She explained that the standard was an “extremely high hurdle” to meet.
“The risk the defendant poses of committing an offence that endangers the safety of the community or safety or welfare of a person is clearly unacceptable in this instance when considering the severity of the alleged offences.” Gilbert granted bail based on factors including Belter’s age, that he had not undertaken any preparations for an actual attack, that he had no prior criminal history and had cooperated with police and told the Australian federal police he was willing to engage in a deradicalisation program.
Gilbert reserved her decision on the bail application until Thursday afternoon. Belter will appear in Brisbane magistrates court again next month.
Belter has been charged with two counts of possessing and controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
The maximum penalty for the offence is five years in jail.
Belter looked to his father as he was escorted out of court.
“We love you Maxy,” his father said from the gallery.