Man arrested for allegedly wearing offensive shirt outside antisemitism royal commission
The Royal Commission into antisemitism has expressed it was appalled by the incident, while police confirm the suspect remains in custody following an arrest at Manly station.
A 68-year-old man has been taken into custody by New South Wales Police after allegedly wearing a shirt displaying an offensive symbol outside the venue hosting the Royal Commission into antisemitism in Sydney. The incident, which unfolded in the city's central business district, has drawn immediate attention from both law enforcement and the commission overseeing the inquiry.
Police patrols on Clarence Street detected the man at approximately 11am, noting the clothing item bore a symbol deemed offensive. Officers issued a move-on direction to the individual at the scene, which he complied with before leaving the immediate vicinity. Despite the initial compliance, the matter did not resolve at that point, leading to further police action later in the day.
At 2.45pm, the man presented himself at Manly police station, where officers attached to Operation Shelter executed an arrest. The suspect remains in custody as inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the alleged display of the offensive material. Specific details regarding the nature of the symbol or the precise legal charges being considered have not yet been released to the public.
The Royal Commission into antisemitism has issued a strong statement regarding the conduct, expressing that it was appalled that such an item of clothing was worn in the vicinity of their hearing venue. The institution emphasised the importance of maintaining a respectful environment for the proceedings, highlighting the sensitivity of the inquiry into antisemitism.
NSW Police confirmed that the arrest was made under the authority of Operation Shelter, a unit tasked with addressing specific community safety concerns. While the suspect was initially moved on from the scene on Clarence Street, the subsequent attendance at the police station resulted in his formal detention. Authorities are currently working through the details of the case while the man holds in custody.
No specific charges have been laid at this stage, and the full outcome of the ongoing inquiries remains to be determined. The identity of the 68-year-old man has not been disclosed, and the exact nature of the offensive symbol on his shirt has not been detailed in official reports.
