First Case of Imprisonment Sentenced in Australia for Nazi Salute Charges
A man in Australia was sentenced to prison for publicly performing the 'Nazi salute.'
On the 8th (local time), according to EFE News Agency and others, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in Victoria, Australia, sentenced 25-year-old white male Jacob Husant to one month in prison.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court judge stated, "Even in Australia, one of the most progressive and democratic countries in the world, freedom of expression is not an absolute concept," adding, "Restrictions on this freedom are justified to protect the common good of the Australian people."
This is the first time in Australia that a prison sentence has been handed down for performing the Nazi salute. The Nazi salute involves raising the right arm to neck height with the palm fully extended.
Husant was caught by authorities on October 27 last year while performing the Nazi salute in front of the Melbourne court.
Husant's lawyer argued that Husant did not perform the Nazi salute, and even if he did, the gesture is a form of legitimate political expression, so the charges against Husant violate the constitution.
Husant plans to appeal the ruling.
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