Melbourne police have arrested New Zealand-born neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell following an alleged attack on a sacred Indigenous burial site in the city, reported The New Zealand Herald.
According to a report by The New Zealand Herald, Sewell, leader of the far-right National Socialist Network (NSN), was taken into custody outside the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon. Footage shows multiple police officers arresting Sewell and another NSN member as they exited the courthouse.
The arrest is believed to be linked to Sunday evening’s incident at Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain parkland, where about 50 black-clad NSN members allegedly stormed the site. Video from the confrontation shows clashes between the group and members of the public, with images appearing to capture Sewell throwing a punch.
The violent episode followed the “March for Australia” anti-immigration rally, where NSN members were present and Sewell delivered a speech, as reported by The New Zealand Herald.
The New Zealand Herald reported, Sewell had appeared in court earlier on Tuesday over a separate 2024 charge relating to allegedly intimidating a police officer.
Hours before his arrest, he disrupted a press conference held by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, accusing the state government of restricting public protest rights. Security intervened as Sewell shouted at Allan before being pushed back.
Premier Allan later issued a statement condemning Sewell and the NSN. “It’s no surprise that Nazis oppose me and my government. I wear that as a badge of honour,” she said. Allan described the group as “goons” who try to divide society, vowing they would fail, The New Zealand Herald quoted.
She emphasised that the government’s forthcoming anti-hate laws aim to protect vulnerable communities, including multicultural groups, LGBTIQA+ people, First Peoples, and Jewish communities. “As Premier, I’ll always be out and about in public fighting for you,” Allan said, reported The New Zealand Herald.
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