A Sydney man has been charged with possessing extremist material after an investigation by counter-terrorism police into phones seized during a vehicle stop on New Year’s Eve.
Three mobile phones were seized, along with drugs and cash, after police stopped a Toyota sedan on Dargan Street, Yagoona on New Year’s Eve.
Abdallah El Chami was charged with drug supply, proceeds of crime and vehicle offences at the time of his initial arrest, and was granted bail on New Year’s Day.
However, violent extremist material was allegedly later found on one of the phones after they were forensically examined, and the 31-year-old was arrested again on Wednesday morning under a commonwealth warrant executed at a Bass Hill home.
Police seized more mobile phones and storage devices along with a knife, charging El Chami with using a carriage service to possess violent extremist material and possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.
He was granted bail at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday, with conditions including that he report to police three times a week and abstain from alcohol and drugs unless prescribed.
El Chami is also required to remain at home unless reporting to police or attending court or medical and legal appointments. He can only possess one mobile phone which cannot connect to the internet, and give police access to it if requested, under other bail conditions which also included a $20,000 surety.
El Chami is due to face court again on March 4.
Using a carriage service to access violent extremist material was outlawed in January 2024. Examples given by the commonwealth Attorney-General’s department include pictures and videos of crimes linked to a terrorist organisation or extremist ideology, as well as manifestos and propaganda.
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Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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