Twist for man accused of threatening to kidnap PM
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Prosecutors have opted to dismiss charges against a man previously accused of making grave threats against the prime minister online.

Nathan Ballesty was arrested in December after he allegedly posted an online threat calling for Anthony Albanese to be kidnapped.

The man, 27, had been involved in a series of offensive online communications, primarily using the messaging app Discord, as reported by police at the time of the incidents.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 2 March 2026. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 2 March 2026. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
(Alex Ellinghausen)
Days before his arrest, he allegedly performed a Nazi salute in public in his home suburb of Beacon Hill on Sydney‘s northern beaches.

Although he still faces 11 charges, the specific charge of threatening serious harm to the prime minister has been removed, according to a statement from federal prosecutors to AAP.

The man’s actions now fall under a less severe charge, which involves using a carriage service to menace or offend.

This updated charge claims that he participated in a Discord conversation on December 15, which could be perceived as offensive or menacing.

If found guilty of this charge, he could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, a reduction from the original seven-year sentence associated with the more serious threat charge.

Ballesty is facing 11 charges, including eight counts of using a carriage service to menace or offend and one count of making a Nazi salute in a public place.

The 27-year-old has not entered pleas to the charges against him.

He will remain behind bars on remand until he returns to court in May.

Ballesty’s home was raided on December 21 after a national security investigation spearheaded by federal police.

Several electronic devices were seized for examination.

Federal police have made threats to MPs a particular focus in the past year.

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