Terror detectives from the Security Investigations Unit have charged a Melbourne man with inciting protesters to make explosives, as police continue to investigate threats against Victorian MPs who supported the state's controversial pandemic legislation.
Endeavour Hills man Imre Pelyva, 36, has been accused of three charges including incitement, and will appear at the Dandenong Magistrates' Court next week.
Police have also charged Werribee man Kenneth Reinhold Panten as part of their investigation.
The 22-year-old is set to face the Werribee Magistrates Court early next year accused of incitement, and also faces allegations of distributing child abuse material.
The arrests come after days of emotionally charged protests on the steps of state parliament, where groups opposed to the proposed pandemic laws voiced their disagreement with signs and makeshift nooses and gallows.
Victoria Police today said its investigations were ongoing, and acknowledged that there was concern in the community.
"We have seen a number of people charged over the past year in relation to threats directed at high-profile members of the community, including members of parliament," a spokeswoman said.
"Victoria Police takes any threat against a person extremely seriously, including both online and physical threats, and will investigate incidents to the fullest extent to hold offenders to account.
"Anyone seeking to cause harm in this manner needs to remember there are serious consequences to their actions, including significant criminal charges which can result in imprisonment."
Editor's note (November 18, 2021): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Mr Panten faced allegations of distributing child sex abuse material. This has been corrected to allegations of distributing child abuse material.
