Four Melbourne men charged over alleged Islamic State propaganda network

Melbourne, May 12 — Four Melbourne men have been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly accessing and distributing violent extremist material inspired by Islamic State (ISIS) online.

The accused — Adian Sarwari, Azan Syed, Mohammad Ahmadzai and Sulaiman Sarwari — are aged between 19 and 29. They appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, where all four were granted bail in separate hearings under strict conditions.

The AFP alleged the men had been actively involved in sharing ISIS-related propaganda and extremist material through online platforms and messaging services.

During the court hearing, it was revealed that 21-year-old Mohammad Ahmadzai, an Australian citizen with no prior criminal history, had a limited number of disturbing videos found on a mobile phone seized during a police raid at his Roxburgh Park home.

His defence lawyer, Lucy Massouras, acknowledged the seriousness of the material, telling the court that the videos were “disturbing” while also conceding that the prosecution’s case appeared strong.

Commonwealth prosecutors opposed bail, arguing the content discovered on the accused men’s electronic devices was particularly serious and gruesome in nature.

Another accused, 29-year-old Sulaiman Sarwari from Clyde North, was alleged to have shared WhatsApp links containing Islamic State propaganda and graphic violent material. He was granted bail with a $10,000 surety while supported in court by his wife.

The court ordered the men to comply with strict bail conditions, including regularly reporting to a police station. The matter will return to court in July.

According to authorities, the investigation began in November 2024 after police conducted a luggage inspection at Melbourne Airport and discovered suspicious extremist material on the phone of a Roxburgh Park man travelling to Turkey.

In June 2025, another Roxburgh Park man departing for Turkey was intercepted at Melbourne Airport, with police again allegedly finding extremist content on his mobile phone.

The AFP, Australian Border Force and Victoria Police later carried out coordinated raids on four homes across Roxburgh Park, Clyde South and Meadow Heights on Thursday, leading to the arrests.

Investigators seized multiple electronic devices during the searches for further forensic examination.

Police also confirmed that an AFP firearm was unintentionally discharged during one of the raids, although no injuries were reported.

Authorities stated that possession of violent extremist material carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment under Australian law.

A fifth man, aged 21, was also arrested during the operation but was later released pending further inquiries.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said authorities considered early intervention critical in preventing potential acts of violence.

“We allege these men were actively engaging in the sharing of material inspired by ISIS, a terrorist organisation responsible for mass killings and violent religious persecution,” she said.

She added that the operation sent a clear message that Australian law enforcement agencies would not tolerate extremist hatred or violent propaganda within the community.

The AFP confirmed the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team.