Submitted by AP
He was arrested, tried, convicted, and imprisoned all in the span of 24 hours.
A prominent anti-lockdown activist has been jailed for eight months for helping to organise an illegal lockdownprotest in Sydney this weekend, as well as multiple breaches of public health orders.
Anthony Khallouf, 29, pleaded guilty to breaching public health orders after he was arrested at Hornsby train station in northern Sydney on Thursday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Victorian man – who is the founder of anti-lockdown group Australians vs The Agenda – was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Friday to eight months in prison with a non-parole period of three months.
The court heard he had also broken border rules by driving from Queensland to NSW and had travelled to Sydney’s Covid-hit western suburbs to visit a relative.
Khallouf said he had a seven-day booking at a North Sydney hotel but was instead ‘couch surfing’ in the city while living off donations from his anti-lockdown supporters, The Australian reported.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to not complying with a direction relating to Covid-19, encouraging the commission of crimes, and false representation resulting in a police investigation.
Khallouf also helped promote anti-lockdown protests in cities across Australia last month.
He shared graphics on social media advertising the ‘Australia Freedom Rally’ and asked his followers to help him distribute flyers for the ‘Worldwide Rally for Freedom’.
Authorities have warned potential attendees of anti-lockdown protests on Saturday to expect heavy police presence at the rally, which is scheduled for midday in Victoria Park.
Earlier this week NSW Police sent a stark warning to anyone who planned on attending the illegal event to expect to be fined or arrested.
‘Police are aware of unauthorised protest activitiesplanned for this weekend. Do NOT attend,’ NSW Police posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
‘Public safety is our first priority and you will be fined or arrested if you turn up #StayAtHome.’
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