South African man seen at neo-Nazi rally has Australian visa revoked

Matthew Gruter, a South African national who relocated to Australia in 2022, has had his visa revoked after being identified at a neo-Nazi rally outside the New South Wales parliament. The protest, organized by the National Socialist Network on November 8, featured approximately 60 men dressed in black, with Gruter prominently positioned in the front row. The group displayed a banner reading ‘Abolish the Jewish lobby’ and chanted slogans associated with the Hitler Youth, such as ‘blood and honour.’ The event, which lasted less than 20 minutes, was legally authorized but has sparked widespread condemnation. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that visa holders are guests in the country and must adhere to its values. Gruter, a civil engineer and senior member of the National Socialist Network in New South Wales, now faces deportation. This incident highlights the growing concern over right-wing extremism in Australia, which recently criminalized the Nazi salute with mandatory prison terms.