Alleged top Islamic State propagandist faces court

A 65-year-old Australian retiree, Mohamed Bakit, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court after being charged by federal police for allegedly instructing people on how to conduct mass-casualty attacks. The accused, who operated from Carlton, allegedly sent around 10,000 pieces of extremist content, including images, videos, and audio files related to executions, torture, and mass murder, between 2018 and 2020.

Bakit, a Somali-born Australian, allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during this period. Police claim his role was significant, as he was among the top propagandists on the encrypted messaging platform he used, spreading a hateful ideology designed to radicalize others. Police also allege he shared information about evading law enforcement and executing mass attacks.

Bakit was arrested at his home in Carlton and is currently in custody, with his lawyer stating he requires medication for diabetes, a heart condition, and blood pressure issues. The arrest followed an investigation that began with the interception of Bakit's luggage at Melbourne Airport in November 2020, where customs officials discovered suspicious content on his mobile phone.

He was allowed to leave for Egypt, where he stayed for six months, before being searched again in 2024. No evidence suggests Bakit traveled to any declared no-go zones. Authorities estimate over 200 Australians have joined the Islamic State since 2012, although he did not rejoin after his initial trip to Egypt.