Man charged over 9,754 Islamic State propaganda messages awaits bail decision
Mohamed Musse Bakit faces five terror charges over 9,754 IS propaganda messages sent in a WhatsApp group.
Mohamed Musse Bakit is facing five charges. These include membership of a terrorist organisation and sending violent extremist material.
Federal police analysed his phone and storage devices. They allege he sent 9,754 messages in a WhatsApp group made by another IS supporter.
He also sent 3,189 images, 1,609 audio files, 811 videos and 487 documents of IS propaganda. The material includes beheadings, battle footage and public executions.
Bakit sent a pledge of allegiance to IS on December 15, 2018. He made up more than 67 per cent of messages in the group chat.
Authorities first noticed him in 2020 when he was stopped by border officials. He was not charged until July 2024 when federal police raided his Melbourne home.
He has no prior criminal convictions. A court bail decision is expected on October 8.
- December 15, 2018
- Pledge date
- July 2024, Carlton, Melbourne
- Police raid
- More than 67 per cent of group chat
- Share of messages
Why it mattersThe case reveals the scale of extremist material distribution through encrypted platforms and the role of individuals in amplifying terrorist propaganda to others.
AustraliaThe charges demonstrate ongoing national security risks from domestic extremist activity and the use of Australian residents to spread terrorist material online.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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