Australian Federal Police are investigating 14 people for displaying terrorist symbols at a pro-Palestinian protest, while launching a separate investigation into whether Australians’ comments on events in the Middle East crossed legal lines.

Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney revealed the investigations during a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, just over a month after the waving Hezbollah flags and vigils glorifying the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah have reignited political debate over free speech and appropriate protests in Australia.

McCartney said the AFP spent 1,100 hours investigating, including viewing 90 hours of CCTV footage, after Victoria Police reported several issues to the federal agency following a pro-protest. Palestinian in Melbourne in September.

As of this week, he said 14 people were under investigation for displaying banned terrorist symbols in public. Three search warrants were executed against three people, three other people were questioned and several cell phones were seized.

“If the relevant thresholds are met, the AFP will provide evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether charges will be laid,” he said.

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“I can reveal that we are also investigating whether some speech relating to deceased terrorists or events in the Middle East has reached the threshold of inciting violence against groups or glorifying terrorism. »

Political debate over pro-Palestinian protests erupted ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, as Labor and Coalition MPs demanded action under new laws banning posters of terrorist symbols if they are used for terrorist purposes. spread hatred, intimidate or incite violence.

AFP boss Reece Kershaw told 2GB’s Ray Hadley that the Hezbollah flag being waved during protests after Israel’s assassination of Nasrallah was against the law and that officers would take action. Australia has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 2021.