theglobeandmail.com
Australian Sentenced for Nazi Salute
An Australian man receives the first-ever prison sentence for performing a Nazi salute, sparking debate about free speech and hate speech laws.
English
Canada
PoliticsHuman Rights ViolationsAustraliaLawSentencingNazi
Melbourne Magistrates' CourtVictoria County CourtNational Socialist Network
Jacob HersantBrett SonnetTim SmarttAdolf Hitler
- What was Jacob Hersant sentenced for?
- Jacob Hersant, a 25-year-old self-described Nazi, was sentenced to one month in prison for performing a Nazi salute, becoming the first person in Australia to receive such a sentence.
- What was Magistrate Sonnet's reasoning behind the prison sentence?
- Magistrate Brett Sonnet stated that Hersant's actions were intended to promote Nazi ideology and disseminate extreme political views in the public arena. The court found that Hersant used the media to spread his views.
- What is the planned response of Hersant's legal team to the verdict?
- Hersant's lawyer, Tim Smartt, plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that jail time is not justified for a non-violent act. He believes the law is constitutionally invalid and intends to argue this in court.
- When and where did the incident that led to Hersant's sentencing occur?
- Hersant's actions occurred outside the Victoria County Court on October 27, 2023, just after avoiding prison for causing violent disorder. The Nazi salute was outlawed in Victoria state days before his actions.
- What were the key arguments made by both the prosecution and the defense?
- Mr. Sonnet highlighted the racist nature of Hersant's words and salute, emphasizing that no race is superior to another. Hersant himself maintained that he had a right to express his political views, regardless of their hateful nature.