Arrest over Nazi salute at Land Forces expo protest

A person police want to identify during the protest at the Land Forces exhibition in Melbourne. (HANDOUT/VICTORIA POLICE)

A man who allegedly performed a Nazi salute during a violent protest outside a controversial weapons exhibition has been arrested following an investigation. 

Violent confrontations between anti-war protesters and police broke outside the Land Forces 2024 exhibition in Melbourne over three days in September. 

At the time numerous arrests were made and police circulated photos of those they were keen on speaking to after numerous officers and protesters were injured. 

Wheelie bins were set alight, horse manure, food-grade acid and glass bottles were hurdled at police barricades. 

Police outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
The protest took place outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

On Friday, police said another 12 people had been arrested since the protest on 11 September, which is in addition to the 89 people charged or fined on the day.

Among those a 30-year-old Preston man will face court after he allegedly pushed crates against police horses. 

A 63-year-old Crib Point man will be charged on summons for allegedly performing the Nazi salute in a public place on September 11. 

Police say during the protests outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, there were rocks, projectiles, liquid which smelt strongly of vomit, horse manure, eggs and liquid irritants hurled at police officers, horses, and expo attendees.

Several police horses and riders were also allegedly splashed with a liquid irritant including being sprayed under face protectors, going into their mouths and nostrils, and were repeatedly pushed and hit with plastic crates.

Police have again circulated images of people they wish to speak to over those incidents.

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