Jacob Hersant
Jacob Hersant | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1998 or 1999 |
| Organization(s) | National Socialist Network (2020–present) Antipodean Resistance (formerly) |
| Criminal status | Guilty |
| Children | Yes |
| Criminal charge | Performing a Nazi salute in public |
| Details | |
| State | Victoria |
| Part of a series on |
| Neo-Nazism |
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| Part of a series on |
| Far-right politics in Australia |
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Jacob Hersant (born 1998 or 1999) is an Australian neo-Nazi, known as a figurehead of the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement. He was the first person to have been charged and convicted for publicly making a Nazi salute in the Australian state of Victoria.
Early life and education
[edit]Jacob Hersant was born in 1998 or 1999.[1][2]
He attended University High School in Melbourne. He is reported to have written on Iron March: "I was an edgy Atheist leftist gamer at 14, then I started playing a lot of Company of Heroes and that got me interested in World War 2. I always liked the Germans better since I have German heritage", and went on to write that after coming across the 2013 film Adolf Hitler: The Greatest Story Never Told on YouTube, "I've been a bad bad goy ever since".[3]
Views and associations
[edit]Hersant was formerly associated with the Antipodean Resistance and the Lads Society, along with Thomas Sewell.[3]
He is known as a neo-Nazi,[4], and figurehead of the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement. These groups promote white supremacy and far-right activism in Australia.[5][6]
In August 2021, in an undercover investigation by journalists, Hersant was recorded stating that Russian neo-Nazi Denis Kapustin "is a really good dude". Hersant was also recorded stating that he had put the Russian into contact with Jarrad Searby and that they were both into mixed martial arts.[7]
After his conviction in 2024 for performing a Nazi salute in public, he stated to journalists "I'm ready to go to jail, because I'm a Hitler soldier and what I'm doing is right".[8]
Activities
[edit]May 2021: Cathedral Range assault on hikers
[edit]On 14 May 2021, Hersant was charged after a raid by counter-terrorism police at a house in the Melbourne suburb of Rowville.[9] Hersant and a co-offender, Thomas Sewell, were charged after an attack on three hikers in Victoria's Cathedral Range.[10] Up to 15 other masked men attacked two passengers in a car and smashed windows. On 1 August 2023, Hersant and Sewell pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder.[10] On 27 October 2023, Hersant and a co-offender were spared further jail time and sentenced to time already served.[11][12] Following the initial sentence, prosecutors appealed claiming that the sentencing was manifestly inadequate.[6]
October 2023: Nazi salute
[edit]Following being spared of further jail time, in relation to his attacking hikers,[11] Hersant performed a Nazi salute outside the court.[13][14] Hersant subsequently became the first person charged with making Nazi gestures in public, under new Victorian state laws.[15][16][5][6]
During the trial, lawyers for Hersant argued that the charge was not constitutionally valid as it violated the implied constitutional freedom of political communication.[17] On 8 October 2024, during a hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, he was found guilty of the offence by a magistrate.[18][19] On 8 November 2024 Hersant was sentenced to one month in jail and then released on bail after appealing against the sentence.[20]
July 2024: Train station protest
[edit]In July 2024, Hersant and 40 masked men entered a Melbourne train station, carrying a banner that stated "Mass deportations now".[16] Following the event Hersant was arrested for "grossly offensive public conduct".[16]
Halloween 2024 Ku Klux Klan stunt
[edit]On 7 November 2024, Hersant was arrested along with three others in relation to a KKK Halloween costume stunt.[20][21] He is expected to be charged with grossly offensive behaviour.[20][21]
April 2025: Anzac Day disruption
[edit]On 25 April 2025, Hersant was escorted by Victoria Police away from an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne following disruptions to a Welcome to Country. The shouting by the small group of far-right extremists was drowned out by applause by many in the 50,000-strong crowd, and condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and other political leaders, as well as RSL Victoria president Robert Webster, many war veterans,[22][23][24] and Sunrise TV host Natalie Barr.[25]
Personal life
[edit]As of April 2025[update] Hersant lives in Kensington, Melbourne.[22] He has a young son.[19][26]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Silva, Kristian (22 March 2024). "Prosecutors seek jail over 'terrifying' neo-Nazi attack on Victorian hikers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Cosoleto, Tara (23 April 2024). "Appeal on neo-Nazi leaders' jail terms dismissed". 9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Antipodean Resistance and the Lads Society". The White Rose Society. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Oboler, Andre (20 August 2021). "'The Jewish community owes a debt to the mole who infiltrated the neo-Nazi network'". The Jewish Independent. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b McKenzie, Nick; Tozer, Joel (16 August 2021). "Inside Racism HQ: How home-grown neo-Nazis are plotting a white revolution". The Age. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Silva, Kristian (23 April 2024). "'Counter-productive' to send neo-Nazi back to jail over Victorian hiker attack, appeal court rules". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ McKenzie, Nick; Tozer, Joel (21 August 2021). "From kickboxing to Adolf Hitler: the neo-Nazi plan to recruit angry young men". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ Leaving Hate. Four Corners. 17 February 2025. Event occurs at 8:18. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ Cucchiara, Sam (2021). "Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell is 'prepared for and expects confrontation', court told". 9now.nine.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b Pearson, Erin (1 August 2023). "Neo-Nazi leader pleads guilty to attack on hikers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b Sweeney, Karen (27 October 2023). "Neo-Nazi leaders spared further jail time over hiker attack". Nine News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Silva, Kristian (27 October 2023). "Neo-Nazis walk free from court, spared further jail time over attack on Victorian hikers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne man to be charged with making a Nazi salute under new laws, police say". ABC News. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Josh (27 October 2023). "Victorian neo-Nazis under police investigation over alleged salute for TV cameras". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Woods, Emily (16 January 2024). "First person charged over Nazi salute facing jail time". www.9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Wang, Jessica (28 July 2024). "Notorious Australian white supremacist Jacob Hersant arrested at Melbourne neo-Nazi demonstration". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Vallance, Syan (10 September 2024). "First-ever Victorian charged over making Nazi salute launches legal defence in court". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Silva, Kristian (8 October 2024). "Far-right extremist who challenged validity of Nazi salute ban becomes first Victorian to be found guilty of new offence". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ a b Leanne, Wong (8 October 2024). "Melbourne man found guilty of performing Nazi salute to be jailed". ABC News. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Pearson, Erin (8 November 2024). "White supremacist accused of Ku Klux Klan stunt while awaiting jail term for Nazi salute". The Age. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ a b Abbott, Lachlan (7 November 2024). "Neo-Nazis face charges after alleged Bunnings KKK harassment". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Hecklers boo Welcome to Country address at Melbourne Anzac Day dawn service". ABC News. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Liu, Summer; Wang, Jessica; Schmidt, Nathan; Packer, Clareese (24 April 2025). "Anzac Day services marred by wild booing, heated clash". news. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Anzac Day 2025 live updates – as it happened". The Guardian. 25 April 2025. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Parkes-Hupton, Heath; Brown, Natalie (25 April 2025). "'Cowards': Anthony Albanese slams hecklers who interrupted Anzac Day Welcome to Country". news. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Victorian prosecutors seek jail time for far-right extremist Jacob Hersant over Nazi salute". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.