Mohamed Bakit, a 65-year-old Carlton retiree and Australian citizen, was arrested on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after counterterrorism police charged him with acting as an online propagandist for the Islamic State and sending about 10,000 extremist files.
Federal and state counterterrorism officers moved on a home in Carlton on Wednesday morning, arresting Mohamed Bakit following an investigation that spanned nearly six years. The Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team—comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation—executed a search warrant at the residential address, seizing a mobile phone and additional electronic devices during the raid.
Airport Interception in 2020 Sparked the Investigation
The case began long before Wednesday’s arrest. According to the Australian Federal Police, the investigation was triggered after Australian Border Force officers intercepted Bakit at Melbourne International Airport on November 21, 2020, as he prepared to board a flight to Egypt. Customs officials examined his luggage and discovered suspicious content on his mobile phone.
Authorities seized the device for forensic examination but permitted the retiree to travel to Egypt, where he remained for six months. Investigators believe Bakit had compassionate reasons to leave the country amid Covid-19 travel restrictions in place at the time. A further search warrant was executed in 2024, yielding additional electronic devices. Police do not allege that Bakit continued distributing extremist material after his initial 2020 interception, nor that he traveled abroad again following his trip to Egypt.
Allegations of Mass Propagandizing and Encrypted Messaging
Forensic reviews of the seized hardware revealed that Bakit had allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group and operated as an online propagandist. Police allege he transmitted roughly 10,000 files via an encrypted messaging platform between November 2015 and July 2020.
The disseminated cache included videos, images, audio clips, documents, and messages depicting executions, torture, and battlefield propaganda purporting to originate from ISIS. Investigators also maintain that Bakit shared instructions on evading law enforcement detection alongside guides for planning and conducting mass-casualty attacks.
Assistant Commissioner Hudson noted that the sheer volume of files placed Bakit among the principal distributors of extremist material within those messaging groups. Terrorist organisations like ISIS rely on online platforms to distribute propaganda and recruit supporters
, she added during a media briefing.
Charges Filed in Melbourne Magistrates Court
Bakit appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.
- A single charge of belonging to a terrorist group, specifically ISIS, under section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- Three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence by transmitting violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.17(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- A single charge under section 474.45C(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) regarding the possession or control of violent extremist material acquired via a carriage service
The maximum penalties for these offenses carry up to ten years’ imprisonment. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services Martin O’Brien emphasized that online extremist offenses are subject to constant monitoring by law enforcement authorities.
Bail Application and Health Concerns
During Wednesday’s filing hearing, defense lawyer Stephanie McLennan stated that her client denies all accusations. My client is in poor health and has every intention to apply for bail,
McLennan told the court outside the courtroom, noting that it was Bakit’s first time in custody. Counsel indicated that he suffers from diabetes, a heart condition, and high blood pressure, and requires regular medication.
Authorities confirmed that Bakit was not linked to any specific domestic terrorist plots and presented no active threat to the community. However, federal investigators indicated that further arrests remain possible as they coordinate with international partners to examine the suspect’s wider network of associates.