> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bushletter.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Melbourne retiree accused of sharing 10,000 Islamic State files
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/carlton-man-65-charged-with-isis-membership-over-10-000-files/
- Published: 2026-09-25T06:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T01:31:41.000Z
- Description: Australian Border Force officers triggered the six-year investigation by seizing the 65-year-old's phone at the airport in 2020, leading to five charges including a terrorism offence carrying a ten-year maximum prison sentence.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: News, Australia, Australian Federal Police

![Margaret Hale](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262597/bushletter/authors/margaret-hale.png)

By **Margaret Hale** · 2026-09-24

TLDR

A 65-year-old Carlton man faces five charges, including membership of Islamic State, after allegedly sharing about 10,000 extremist files online over several years. An airport phone seizure in 2020 triggered the investigation. Police say there is no planned attack and no ongoing threat to the community.

## A phone at the airport, and six years later an arrest

Counter-terrorism investigations rarely announce their origins with any drama, and this one is no exception. On 21 November 2020, Australian Border Force officers intercepted a 65-year-old Carlton man at Melbourne International Airport, examined his luggage, took his handset, and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) Forensic analysis of that device set in motion nearly six years of counter-terrorism work.

On 23 September 2026, members of the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team executed a search warrant at the man's Carlton home and arrested him.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) Police have not published his name in connection with the charges at this stage of proceedings.

## What the files contained

Forensic analysis revealed the man viewed and shared about 10,000 extremist files between November 2015 and July 2020, including videos and images of executions and torture, ISIS propaganda, and guides on avoiding detection.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) The volume and variety of that material forms the backbone of the prosecution's case.

AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Paula Hudson said the content served a deliberate purpose. "The material allegedly shared by this man glorified acts of extreme violence and promoted a terrorist organisation, spreading a hateful ideology that's designed to radicalise others," Hudson said.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) Hudson said ISIS relies on online platforms to distribute propaganda and recruit supporters, with content engineered to encourage extremist beliefs and acts of violence.

## The charges and their weight

The man now faces five separate charges in total. One count of membership of a terrorist organisation under section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment.[\[2\]](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A04868/2025-01-09?ref=bushletter.com) Three counts of using a carriage service to transmit violent extremist material under section 474.17(1) each carry a maximum of five years,[\[3\]](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2026-03-14?ref=bushletter.com) and a fifth charge of possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained via a carriage service under section 474.45C(1) carries the same maximum term.[\[4\]](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2025-12-05?ref=bushletter.com)

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services Martin O'Brien said authorities will act when these crimes are identified and hold offenders to account.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com)

## How the investigation developed

The 2020 airport referral opened the file, but the investigation did not close quickly. A further search warrant executed in 2024 produced additional electronic devices, which were submitted for forensic examination.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) The accumulated forensic picture across two seizures underpins the five charges now before the court.

Police were explicit that the case carries no wider immediate risk, with no link to a planned attack and no ongoing threat to the community.[\[1\]](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com) The man is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 November 2026.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Five charges were laid, including ISIS membership carrying a maximum ten-year prison term.

02About 10,000 files allegedly shared included execution videos, torture imagery and radicalisation guides.

03A 2020 airport intercept by Australian Border Force triggered the AFP referral that opened the case.

04A second search warrant executed in 2024 seized additional electronic devices for forensic examination.

05AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Paula Hudson said the material was designed to radicalise others.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Melbourne man charged with alleged ISIS membership, Victoria Police](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/melbourne-man-charged-alleged-isis-membership-local-propagandist?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), section 102.3 terrorist organisation membership](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A04868/2025-01-09?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), section 474.17 carriage service offences](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2026-03-14?ref=bushletter.com)
4. [Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), section 474.45C violent extremist material](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2025-12-05?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the most serious charge the Carlton man faces?

Membership of a terrorist organisation under section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment.

How did police first become aware of the alleged conduct?

Australian Border Force officers intercepted the man at Melbourne Airport on 21 November 2020, seized his phone, and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police.

Is there a threat to the public connected to this case?

Police have said there is no link to a planned attack and no ongoing threat to the community.

![Margaret Hale](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262597/bushletter/authors/margaret-hale.png)

[Margaret Hale](https://bushletter.com/author/margaret-hale/?ref=bushletter.com)

Margaret Hale writes about politics, policy and the culture of business. She is drawn to the people behind decisions and to the moments when a political story turns out to be a human one.