Police are working to keep neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell behind bars, arguing he’s an “unacceptable risk” after allegedly organising a violent attack at an Aboriginal protest site in Narrm / Melbourne.
Sewell, 32, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday following a series of charges including violent disorder and affray over the incident at Camp Sovereignty in King’s Domain.
Detective Senior Constable Saer Pascoe told the court Sewell’s “behaviour in recent times has been escalating in violence” and that, as leader of the National Socialist Network, he has “complete control” over a group willing to “attack on instruction”.
Pascoe described how Sewell allegedly led about 30 men in black to storm the First Nations refuge, resulting in three people injured — including a woman who needed staples for a head wound.
Two other men were arrested along with Sewell on Tuesday, with a fourth man arrested on Wednesday in relation to the alleged attack.
“In the first couple of days, we were scared there would be another attack,” said Camp Sovereignty supporter Nathalie Farah to SBS.
“Since then, it feels like things have settled down. But of course, we’re still on high alert.”
Police say Sewell was already on bail when this incident happened, and his group also allegedly assaulted a man during an earlier march in the CBD on August 9. The detective alleged Sewell has a “documented and recent history of violence incited and instructed” and warned, “It’s almost certain the applicant will return to committing offences [if bailed]. There is a real and likely risk of serious injury or death”.
Defence lawyer Mathew Hopkins insisted Sewell was only defending himself after being hit first in August and argued he always attends court and should return home to help his family. Hopkins disputed the relevance of previous incidents, saying prosecutors were pushing a “political attack”.
A change.org petition has been created calling for Sewell to be deported back to his birth country of New Zealand, garnering 88,789 signatures at the time of writing. Sewell does currently have Australian citizenship.
Magistrate Donna Bakos is expected to hand down her decision on Sewell’s bail Friday. Meanwhile, Sewell remains in custody as the court decides what comes next.
Lead image: Getty Images
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