Melbourne Protester Admits Guilt in Explosive Device Case
Melbourne, Australia – November 27, 2024 – Malith Shamera Fernando has pleaded guilty to possessing a homemade explosive device discovered near the Rod Laver Arena during a pro-Palestine protest on October 8, 2024. The 26-year-old engineer appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today and admitted to the charge, stemming from an incident that prompted a large-scale police response and briefly disrupted access to the tennis venue.
The case highlights the escalating concerns surrounding protest activity and the potential for violence. Authorities allege Fernando intended to use the device, constructed from readily available materials, to disrupt events. Her guilty plea comes after investigators uncovered protest-related ideology, including a social media post advocating for disruption in Melbourne and support for Palestine, on a laptop found at her residence. The incident underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and responding to possibly risky actions linked to politically motivated demonstrations.
Police discovered the device during a search of the area surrounding Rod Laver Arena, prompting the evacuation of a section of Olympic Boulevard. Fernando, who used her engineering qualifications to secure a ticket to the event, was afterward arrested and charged. The examination revealed the device was capable of causing important harm. She remains in custody pending sentencing,with the court expected to consider the seriousness of the offence and the potential danger posed to the public when determining her punishment.
