Source : Perth Now news
A man who allegedly wore a swastika shirt outside an inquiry into Jewish hate in Australia has been banned from going near the inquiry and promoting anti-Semitism, court documents reveal.
Ian Minus, 68, is accused of wearing a swastika on a T-shirt outside a Clarence St building in Sydney’s CBD, where the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion was being held.
The shirt read “Anti-Semitism. Proud to be accused. Speak up!”
Court documents seen by NewsWire show Mr Minus is now barred from going within 200m of the royal commission as per his bail conditions.
He has also been prohibited from promoting anti-Semitism in public or on social media.
The 68-year-old was issued a move-on direction by police officers outside Clarence St on May 6 during the first week of the commission’s hearings.
He was charged with behaving in an offensive manner in/near public place/school and cause prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in a public place.
Mr Minus has now been hit with an additional charge of knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse, according to court documents.
Mr Minus claimed he was just having a coffee when approached by reporters outside the commission, asking them “Is this a swastika?” and “Is there a royal commission here, is there?”
Just metres away inside, Jewish Australians were sharing their harrowing experiences of anti-Semitism.
“I’m sorry, I’m just enjoying a cup of coffee in the streets of Sydney. Why am I being assailed in such fashion?” he said, later pointing to his shirt and saying “I am proud of this statement”.
His matter will next be before the courts on June 3.
