Prosecutors have opted to dismiss charges against a man previously accused of making grave threats against the prime minister online.
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.
(Alex Ellinghausen)
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.
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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