Australian man, 42, charged over threats to MPs’ offices
In Australia, a 42-year-old man has been charged in connection with alleged threats made during phone calls to the electorate offices of state and federal MPs. He was detained at Sydney Airport after returning from New Zealand, where he had previously been convicted of offensive use of a telephone.
Calls from New Zealand
As RNZ World reports, the Australian Federal Police launched an investigation in June, when the man flew from the Gold Coast to Auckland. According to police, over two weeks he repeatedly called electorate offices in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
Australian police said that during these calls, the man allegedly threatened to harm himself and other people. New Zealand police detained the Australian citizen in Auckland after receiving information about these allegations from their Australian colleagues on June 26.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Proceedings in two countries
Acting Auckland Criminal Investigation Branch Senior Sergeant Craig Burrow said that the calls to the offices of Australian federal and state MPs were offensive and threatening in nature. According to him, the Auckland District Court found the man guilty of offensive use of a telephone on August 19.
The following day, the man was detained again, this time at Sydney Airport. Australian police reported seizing two mobile phones, books and a passport.
In New South Wales, he was charged once with using a communications service to threaten serious harm and three more times with using a communications service to menace, harass or offend. He was refused bail; the next hearing at Downing Centre Local Court is scheduled for October.
