SYDNEY, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- An Australian man has been arrested and charged over alleged antisemitic threats made on a flight to Sydney, authorities said on Thursday.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement that the 19-year-old man was arrested on arrival at Sydney Airport on a flight from Indonesia after he allegedly made threats of violence towards a member of the Jewish community.
The AFP said that it will be alleged in court that the man from western Sydney made antisemitic threats and hand gestures indicating violence towards the alleged victim, who he knew to be affiliated with the Jewish community.
The 19-year-old has been charged with one count of threatening force or violence against members of groups or close associates, which is a hate crime offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
"There is no current or impending threat to the community," the AFP said.
The incident occurred after the fatal mass shooting that targeted an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night, though the AFP did not specify if the alleged threats were related to the attack. ■
