Four Melbourne men have been charged after federal investigators allegedly uncovered the online sharing and distribution of Islamic State propaganda, including violent extremist videos and material linked to past terrorist attacks.
The Australian Federal Police allege two men from Roxburgh Park first came to authorities’ attention after separate interceptions by Australian Border Force officers at Melbourne Airport.
One of the men, now aged 20, was stopped after arriving from Turkey in November 2024, while the second, now 21, was intercepted before departing for Turkey in June 2025. Authorities allege examinations of their mobile phones uncovered extremist material linked to Islamic State (ISIS), prompting a wider investigation.
Police claim forensic analysis later revealed the men had been sending, receiving and sharing violent extremist material online, including ISIS propaganda and footage of previous terrorist attacks.
Counter-terrorism officers executed raids across homes in Roxburgh Park, Clyde South and Meadow Heights on Wednesday with assistance from Victoria Police and the AFP Tactical Response Team.
During one raid at Roxburgh Park, an AFP firearm was unintentionally discharged. No injuries were reported.
Investigators seized electronic devices and mobile phones for forensic examination. Two Roxburgh Park men and two men from Clyde North, aged 19 and 29, were charged with possessing violent extremist material under Commonwealth law, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
The men appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Three were refused bail and were due to return to court on Friday, while a fourth was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to reappear in July.
A fifth man, aged 21, was arrested during the Meadow Heights raid but later released pending further inquiries.
Authorities said investigations remain ongoing with support from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson alleged the group had been actively engaging with material inspired by ISIS, which she described as an organisation responsible for “mass killings, and violent religious persecution”.
Hudson said early intervention was critical to disrupting individuals before extremist behaviour escalated into violence, adding the investigation should serve as a warning that law enforcement agencies were monitoring online extremist activity closely.
ABF Commander Clinton Sims said the operation highlighted how border screening and intelligence-sharing were being used to identify individuals of concern linked to national security risks.
The AFP established National Security Investigations teams in 2025 to target individuals and groups considered harmful to Australia’s social cohesion and public safety.
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