Cormac Rothsey’s arrest follows a NSW joint counter-terrorism investigation with the AFP into rightwing extremism online

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A man in Newcastle, New South Wales,has been arrested and charged over threats of violence posted on social media connected to rightwing extremist views.

Cormac Rothsey, a 43-year-old man from Hamilton, near Newcastle in New South Wales, was arrested on Thursday as part of a NSW joint counter-terrorism investigation with the Australian federal police into rightwing extremist ideology online.

“Investigators located a number of concerning posts with rightwing extremist views on social media earlier this week and commenced inquiries,” an AFP spokesperson said.

Police allege that Rothsey, who lived an itinerant lifestyle, was planning a mass casualty attack at a mosque packed for Friday prayer.

In comments made on Facebook he had allegedly expressed admiration for the alleged perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque massacre and made threats to kill the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

“My aim is to go to Friday prayer in a packed mosque,” Rothsey allegedly wrote on Facebook on Wednesday, according to a statement of police facts reported by the Newcastle Herald. “No turning back when called to prayer.”

The Herald reported police had arrested Rothsey after his alleged threats became more explicit on Thursday.

“Australia Cormac Rothsey mosque raid soon,” Rothsey allegedly wrote on Facebook. “Make ya movie. “No turning back.”

At 3.54pm on Thursday, Rothsey allegedly wrote: “Fuckin’ hell. Let’s do it.”

Police allege Rothsey had expressed admiration for the alleged Christchurch shooter, Brenton Tarrant, and made threats against Ardern. When one social media user described Tarrant as a hero. Rothsey allegedly replied that he “should get a free house a medal for bravest aussie since Gallipoli”.

Of Ardern he allegedly wrote: “I want the slut dead... I will use my rifle”.

Rothsey was arrested near Cleary and Beaumont streets in Hamilton at around 5pm on Thursday after threats of violence were allegedly posted. Following his arrest, Rothsey was searched and his mobile phone was seized for forensic examination.

He was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend and was refused bail ahead of an appearance in the Newcastle local court on Friday.

According to the Newcastle Herald, Rothsey first came to police attention on 27 August 27 after a report to the National Security Hotline about two Facebook profiles espousing anti-Islamic rhetoric.

Police allege that over time his comments on Facebook shifted from posting violent and anti-Islamic content to a stated intent to kill or injure Muslims in a mass casualty attack.

“I will do big damage,” Rothsey reportedly wrote. “I don’t give a fuck about my life.”

Following his arrest police allege Rothsey admitted to making violent and derogatory comments but said he “gets that way” after he drinks alcohol. He told police he did not own any weapons and had not intended on carrying out an attack.

The AFP has urged anyone with information about extremist activity or threats to contact the national security hotline on 1800 123 400.