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A far-right activist who branded himself a “threat to society” was sentenced to prison

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A far-right man who encouraged terrorism in “misleading and shocking” online messages and claimed he was a “genuine threat to society” has been jailed for 15 years.

Gabriel Budasz posted far-right material under different usernames on a number of social media platforms – including Telegram, Omegle and Odysee – which expressed “extremely racist views” and encouraged the public to direct action against others, the court heard.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Poland and lived in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, also published “step-by-step instructions” for making explosives from “readily available, often household items” and built a plastic one. with a 3D printer of the gun, which he then used as a prop in online video posts.

Sentencing at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, October 24, Judge Brian Forster told the defendant: “The mindset evidence reveals that you had a clear interest in white supremacy, other terrorists, including Brenton Tarrant, and mass murder, including the Christchurch shootings.

“You also wrote on Twitter: “To all current or future government agents investigating me: I meant everything I said and more. I am a true absolute threat to you and your society. I’m going to build a bomb.”

“You spread instructions about making a bomb to encourage terrorism. You continued your behavior, which often affected young people, for a long time.”

The court heard that among the material posted online by Budaz was a video of him wearing clothes intended to mimic the outfit of his “hero” Tarrant on the day he live-streamed the shootings that killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. , in March 2019.

Budasz broadcast the original live broadcast and commented: “Isn’t it beautiful? He will murder them all.”

The court heard that Budasz recorded his conversations to produce a 21-episode series to be uploaded over the course of 2022.

Another bombing video he shared on Telegram showed “outrageous and shocking” footage that gave “instructions for torturing, mutilating and ultimately killing a living victim with a knife.”

“The third part (of the footage) showed the bomb exploding and killing the man who was made to carry it,” the judge told the court.

Jewish charity Community Security Trust (CST) claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that it had begun investigating Budaz’s online activities since September 2022.

The charity said they collected evidence from Budaz’s social media accounts, which they shared with counter-terrorism police in the summer of 2023.

Budasz was arrested on August 1, 2023.

A jury found him guilty of one count of distributing a terrorist publication and four counts of inciting terrorism after a 14-day trial at the same court earlier this year.

He was also found guilty of sending an electronic communication intended to cause distress or anxiety and previously pleaded guilty to six counts of providing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

During the trial, Budasz, who has been diagnosed with autism and Asperger’s syndrome, claimed that the videos he posted online were meant to be funny and “comedy” from the point of view of a far-right figure.

However, Judge Forster said there was “no direct link” between Budasz’s mental disorder and his crime, citing two expert witnesses who concluded Bidasz was “capable of forming an intention”.

Judge Forster told the defendant: “You are not interested in how your actions might have affected others.

“Your lack of understanding is underscored by the fact that you describe your trial as a ‘comedy show’ and that you do not understand the verdicts reached by the jury.”

Judge Forster sentenced Budasz to 15 years in prison, including 12 years in prison, with three years suspended.

Dressed in a gray tracksuit, Budasz responded to the verdict by shaking his head.

He was also given a serious crime prevention order for 30 years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Chief Constable Olly Wright, from Terrorism Policing South West, said: “Budasz was spreading hateful content online, including racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic statements. He would have known how harmful it would be to spread his far-right views.

“The video he posted online contained step-by-step instructions for making a viable bomb from readily available household items, and Budasz had taken it from a longer video found online showing human mutilation and torture.

“He had also used a 3D printer to print parts of a 3D gun and discussed how a working gun could be made.

“Budasz tried to explain the material he posted online by claiming it was ‘comedy’. He tried to hide his true identity by using props, including Nazi and other far-right paraphernalia. He did this while making some of his most damaging and offensive statements; however, the jury cleared that defense and convicted him of serious terrorism offences.

“The content that Budasz provides online inspires dangerous and far-right ideologies in their users that cause all sorts of harm to communities in this country. His sentence now prevents him from spreading this hate online, and we will continue to work to deal with others who would do the same.”

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