An 18-year-old Brisbane man wept in court after allegedly being found with violent extremist material and chemicals used to make explosives.
Max Belter appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday wearing a green prison jumper, two days after his home in The Gap, in the city’s northwest, was raided by a joint counter-terrorism task force.
The joint team involved officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) taking part in the investigation.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
Police seized electronic devices they said contain a large amount of data, books associated with nationalist and racist violent extremism, chemicals and precursor ingredients.
Belter broke down while being escorted into court, dropping his head and covering his face with his hands.
His parents were present during the hearing, with his father seen sobbing as proceedings unfolded.
The teen, who has no prior criminal history, applied for bail.
His defence counsel, Samuel Bain, argued that “exceptional circumstances” applied in Belter’s case.
Bain pointed to his client’s age, strong family support, clean record, and capacity to live at home under strict conditions.
But Commonwealth prosecutor Ellie McDonald opposed the application, arguing Belter posed an “unacceptable risk to the community” due to the nature of the alleged offences.
McDonald told Magistrate Rosemary Gilbert while an extensive review of devices had not yet been completed, an initial analysis uncovered “extensive materials indicative of deep ideological alignment with nationalist extremism.”
“Over 50 documents were identified relating to the construction of explosives and firearms,” she told the court.
McDonald also alleged Belter had a “strong” interest in violence and was found in possession of a horrific 30-minute video.
He was also alleged to have stored in his cupboard chemicals necessary to build an improvised explosive device.
“The defendant is alleged to have encouraged others to engage in violent behaviour, enlivening an additional risk that the defendant may encourage others to commit violence in addition to his own personal conduct,” McDonald said.
She further said Belter used the dark web to access extremist content.
“The defendant has not shown that there are exceptional circumstances and bail should be refused,” she told the court.
“The risk the defendant poses of committing an offence that endangers the safety of the community or safety or welfare of a person is clearly unacceptable in this instance when considering the severity of the alleged offences.”
Magistrate Gilbert reserved her decision on the bail application until Thursday afternoon.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said there is an increased volume of violent extremist material posted online, and that extremist groups are targeting vulnerable groups.
“The AFP believes extremist groups are targeting vulnerable and young individuals online for radicalisation, as they are more susceptible to being influenced,” Nutt said.
“We know these extremists are preying on young people in the same way that child sex offenders attempt to groom children.
“We urge parents, carers, family and friends to speak out if they see any signs of radicalisation in people they are close with.”
The 18-year-old was charged with two counts of possessing and controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
The maximum penalty for this offence is five years’ imprisonment.
As he was escorted out of the courtroom, Belter looked to his father in the public gallery.
“We love you, Maxy,” his father said.
The AFP said investigations into the seized material are ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out.
“The collective power and capabilities of all agencies in the joint Counter Terrorism Team sends a strong message about the commitment to thoroughly investigate and then put before the courts those who engage in terrorism-related activity,” QPS Security and Counter-Terrorism Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings said.
“The QPS remains committed to working with its partner agencies for the safety and security of the whole community.”
Radicalisation warning signs
The AFP has released what it believes to be signs a person may be susceptible to radicalisation, including:
- Distancing themselves from their usual friends and family members
- An increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric or propaganda they propagate
- A child using hateful or emotionally-charged language
- Developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues
- Displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics
- Spending increasing amounts of time in fringe forums on the internet
with AAP
Stream free on
