Neo-nazi Network NSN Linked to US Murder Plot, Australian Recruitment Raises Alarm
Melbourne, Australia – A growing neo-Nazi network, the National Socialist network (NSN), is under increased scrutiny following revelations of its connection to a US teenager arrested for murdering his parents in a plot to harm former President Donald Trump. Australian security agencies are also concerned by the group’s escalating recruitment efforts within Australia, warning of a rising threat of politically motivated violence.
The FBI arrested Nikita Casap in April for the murders, uncovering encrypted chat logs revealing interaction between Casap and a senior NSN member.According to investigators, Casap was actively following the online propaganda of NSN leader Philip Sewell and sought guidance on extremist ideologies.
This case echoes concerns raised following the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack, where the perpetrator had interacted with the online “Lads Society” before carrying out his attack. Authorities fear the NSN could serve as a similar ”stepping stone” for individuals radicalized online.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess, in his 2025 threat assessment, highlighted politically motivated violence as a meaningful threat, second only to foreign interference and espionage. Burgess warned that eroding social cohesion, declining trust in institutions, and the proliferation of “grievance narratives, conspiracies and online echo chambers” are fueling extremism.
The assessment revealed that the majority of potential terrorist matters investigated last year involved “mixed ideologies or nationalist and racist ideologies,” with almost all cases involving minors acting alone or in small groups. The vast majority of those identified are Australian-born males.
Burgess cautioned that the greatest threat comes from individuals on the periphery of organized groups, describing the likely perpetrator as a “lone actor from a family previously unconnected to extremism… using an easily obtained weapon.” He warned the NSN and similar groups will likely undertake increasingly provocative acts to generate publicity and recruit members.the revelations come amid growing public concern over visible displays of neo-Nazi activity in Australian cities, with groups holding public marches. Authorities are now focused on understanding the NSN’s recruitment tactics and developing strategies to counter its influence across law enforcement, security agencies, education, and online platforms.
