Jacob Hersant Explained

Jacob Hersant (born) is an Australian neo-Nazi, convicted criminal and the first person to have been charged with making a Nazi salute in the Australian state of Victoria.[1] [2] He is co-founder of the National Socialist Network.

Activities

May 2021: Cathedral Range assault on hikers

On 14 May 2021, Hersant was charged after a raid by counter-terrorism police at a house in the Melbourne suburb of Rowville.[3] Hersant and a co-offender, Thomas Sewell (neo-Nazi), were charged after an attack on three hikers in Victoria's Cathedral Range.[4] Up to 15 other masked men attacked two passengers in a car and smashed windows. On 1 August 2023, Jacob and a co-offender, Thomas Sewell pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder. On 27 October 2023, Hersant and a co-offender were spared further jail time and sentenced to time already served.[5] [6] Following the initial sentence, prosecutors appealed claiming that the sentencing was manifestly inadequate.

October 2023: Nazi Salute

Following being spared of further jail time, in relation to their attack of hikers, Hersant performed a Nazi salute outside of court.[7] [8] Hersant subsequently became the first person charged with making Nazi gestures in public, under new Victorian state laws.[9] [10]

July 2024: Train station protest

In July 2024, Hersant and 40 masked men stormed a Melbourne train station, carrying a banner which stated "Mass deportations now". Following the event Hersant was arrested for "grossly offensive public conduct".

Personal life

Hersant was reported to be 25 years old in April 2024.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McKenzie . Nick . Tozer . Joel . August 16, 2021 . Inside Racism HQ: How home-grown neo-Nazis are plotting a white revolution . The Age . 16 August 2021 . 16 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210816011414/https://www.theage.com.au/national/inside-racism-hq-how-home-grown-neo-nazis-are-plotting-a-white-revolution-20210812-p58i3x.html . live .
  2. News: Silva . Kristian . 2024-04-23 . 'Counter-productive' to send neo-Nazi back to jail over Victorian hiker attack, appeal court rules . 2024-08-03 . . en-AU . 24 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240624023738/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-23/neo-nazis-thomas-sewell-jacob-hersant-appeal-verdict/103757736 . live .
  3. Web site: Cucchiara . Sam . 2021 . Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell is 'prepared for and expects confrontation', court told . 2024-08-03 . 9now.nine.com.au . en-AU . 3 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803025715/https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/victoria-police-warning-as-neonazi-thomas-sewell-fronts-melbourne-court/1937e266-0012-4db7-8298-c971b63024bc . live .
  4. News: Pearson . Erin . 1 August 2023 . Neo-Nazi leader pleads guilty to attack on hikers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230802054833/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/neo-nazi-leader-pleads-guilty-to-attack-on-hikers-20230801-p5dsxm.html . 2 August 2023 . 2 August 2023 . ABC News.
  5. News: 27 October 2023 . Neo-Nazi leaders spared further jail time over hiker attack . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027082106/https://www.9news.com.au/national/neo-nazi-leaders-admit-melbourne-hiker-attack-but-claim-innocence/2e3893c2-1f81-4fea-8403-99b5ddcc617e . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023 . Nine News.
  6. News: 27 October 2023 . Neo-Nazis walk free from court, spared further jail time over attack on Victorian hikers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027032722/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-27/neo-nazi-hiker-attack-thomas-sewell-jacob-hersant/103031582 . 27 October 2023 . 27 October 2023 . ABC News.
  7. News: 2023-11-01 . Melbourne man to be charged with making a Nazi salute under new laws, police say . 2024-08-03 . ABC News . en-AU . 3 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803023412/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-02/neo-nazi-jacob-hersant-salute-charges-victoria-police/103052736 . live .
  8. News: Taylor . Josh . 2023-10-27 . Victorian neo-Nazis under police investigation over alleged salute for TV cameras . 2024-08-03 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 3 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803132919/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/28/heil-hitler-victorian-neo-nazis-under-police-investigation-over-alleged-salute-for-tv-cameras . live .
  9. Web site: Woods . Emily . 2024-01-16 . First person charged over Nazi salute facing jail time . 2024-08-03 . www.9news.com.au . 3 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803031109/https://www.9news.com.au/national/nazi-salute-court-case-jacob-hersant-facing-jail-time/379ba4f4-73c8-45f0-bab5-f9a0440593fd . live .
  10. News: Wang . Jessica . 28 July 2024 . Notorious Australian white supremacist Jacob Hersant arrested at Melbourne neo-Nazi demonstration . 2 August 2024 . . 28 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240728100607/https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/notorious-australian-white-supremacist-jacob-hersant-arrested-at-melbourne-neonazi-demonstration/news-story/c39c17f98a99fef52e340b30c98d06a5 . live .
  11. News: Silva . Kristian . 2024-03-22 . Prosecutors seek jail over 'terrifying' neo-Nazi attack on Victorian hikers . 2024-08-11 . . en-AU.
  12. Web site: Cosoleto . Tara . 2024-04-23 . Appeal on neo-Nazi leaders' jail terms dismissed . 2024-08-11 . 9news.com.au.