Albanese condemns actions of balaclava-clad neo-Nazis arrested by police after swarming Sydney train | Australia news

Anthony Albanese has condemned the actions of a group of neo-Nazis, who wore black balaclavas while brandishing Australian flags when they swarmed a Sydney train on Friday, as “shocking” and having “no role in Australia”

The group of about 60 hooded men were seen at Artarmon station just before midday on Friday.

“I was horrified by those images,” Albanese told reporters on Saturday, before warning of a rise in neo-Nazi activity in Australia. “I say to these people, quite frankly, have a good look at yourself.”

Officers from North Sydney police, the public order riot squad and police transport command waited for the train to arrive at North Sydney station, NSW police said in a statement.

“On arrival, members of the public were directed to leave the train while officers boarded and contained the group of approximately 61 to a few carriages,” the statement said.

“The group all had their faces concealed and were carrying a number of items, including shields and a flag.”

Police said six people were arrested and taken to Chatswood police station, where they were assisting police with inquiries. A further 55 men were issued rail infringement notices for offensive behaviour.

Two men have since been released and issued infringement notices for offensive behaviour. Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident.

The Australian neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell said he was part of the group stopped by police.

The 30-year-old self-appointed leader of the National Socialist Network was filmed being served by officers with a legal order banning him from attending any Australia Day events in Sydney.

The video, first posted by Sewell on his encrypted chat on Friday afternoon, was widely circulating across social media.

“You’re being served with a public safety order,” an officer tells Sewell in the video.

“I believe your presence in the Sydney city local government area poses a serious risk to public safety,” the officer adds.

“This is based on your ideological links, including your associates, your previous attendance and ideologically motivated public order incidents, your criminal history of assaulting members of the public and your goal of intimidating and provoking people.”

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Sewell was then told to remain out of the Sydney city local government area or anywhere where an Australia Day event was planned until 11.59pm on Friday.

Albanese congratulated NSW police on its quick action to dispel the “what could have been very dangerous activity”.

“I don’t want to see people in balaclavas dressed in black from head to toe, who are engaged in neo-Nazi activity in this country. It has no place and it is rightly being condemned by all decent people,” he said.

“And on Australia Day, where we commemorate everything that is great about this country, we have a responsibility. We, to look to what unites us, not what divides us.”

In a statement, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, said “normal people don’t celebrate Australia Day with a balaclava on”.

“Due to great police work millions of Aussies were able to celebrate and come together without a potentially ugly confrontation,” he said.

“There is absolutely no tolerance for this behaviour.”