A spokesperson for Facebook says it has begun removing groups which make threats against accused arsonist Brendan Sokaluk, after reports about the groups were made to the website.

However, it appears the social networking site's operators cannot keep up with its angry users who continue to create new groups calling for the torture of 39-year-old Sokaluk.

Sokaluk is accused of starting the Churchill-Jerralang fires in Gippsland which killed 11 people.

He is facing charges of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire and a count of possessing child pornography.

Earlier today, Facebook groups which were in breach of a suppression order by displaying Sokaluk's photograph and which made threats against Sokaluk's life, had been removed.

But new groups have sprung up calling for Sokaluk to "burn in hell".

Another group has also been started on the site which claims that Facebook has violated its users' freedom of speech by removing the groups.

A spokesperson for Facebook says the site should be a place for people to discuss their opinions, but it says it removes groups which are reported.

"We want Facebook to be a place where people can discuss issues and current affairs, while respecting the rights and feelings of others," they said.

"We will remove groups reported to us that are found to express hatred or threaten violence towards people.

"The goal of our code of conduct and policies is to strike a very delicate balance between giving Facebook users the freedom to express their opinions and beliefs, while also ensuring that individuals and groups of people do not feel threatened or endangered."

However, the spokesperson refused to comment on possible legal ramifications for the site for breaching the court suppression order.