Self-described Nazi becomes first person jailed in Australia for performing outlawed salute

Jacob Hersant, a self-proclaimed Nazi, became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing a Nazi salute. He was ordered to spend one month behind bars by a magistrate in Melbourne. Hersant was convicted of the offense after performing the salute outside a court in 2023. His lawyer argued that the sentence was unjustified for a nonviolent act, but the magistrate deemed it appropriate due to Hersant’s promotion of Nazi ideology and white supremacy. Hersant’s lawyers plan to appeal the sentence, claiming his actions were protected by freedom of political communication.