An adolescent responsible for disseminating Islamic State propaganda and threatening a Jewish community has been released from custody, though he will remain under stringent supervision measures.
The 18-year-old, whose identity is protected by legal constraints, received his sentence on Thursday following a guilty plea to a series of counter-terrorism charges. These charges included the distribution of extremist content and using a communication service to issue death threats.
Authorities apprehended the teen in May 2025 after he sent an email, signed as Adolf Hitler, to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, warning of a planned shooting at the synagogue during Shabbat services.
Additional charges stemmed from his Instagram activity, where he shared an Islamic State propaganda video showing the execution of captives and uploaded images of himself brandishing knives and machetes.
Arriving in court with his parents by his side, the young man exhibited a composed demeanor, smiling and waving to those present.
In court, his defense attorney emphasized the challenging journey ahead for his client but remained optimistic about the teenager’s potential for rehabilitation.
“There is also a reflection the impact of that custody has had. It is not controversial that he has found it harder than a person of average health,” he said.
A children’s court magistrate handed the teen a 12-month supervision order with strict conditions including the weekly appointments with a forensic psychologist, and no access to the internet, unless supervised.
He was also banned from contacting or attending within 200m of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue, along with purchasing weapons.
The magistrate said the order was the highest punishment the court could impose outside of detention.
“It is not in dispute that he should be released,” the magistrate said, noting that the teenager had already spent 357 days on remand.
“Only so much can be done here, nothing is going to be perfect.”
In handing down the sentence, the magistrate noted the teen lived with complex diagnoses, including autism, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD and borderline cognitive functioning.
The teen was previously charged by counter-terrorism police for separate offences in 2021 but the case was ultimately stayed in 2023 after a magistrate found officers had acted inappropriately.
Outside court, his parents told reporters they intended to launch legal proceedings against the Australian Federal Police, alleging the agency discriminated against their son’s age and disability during the 2021 investigation.
“We have suffered,” the parents said.
The 18-year-old will return to court for judicial monitoring in May.
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