Man who allegedly graffitied Australian War Memorial, ABC offices with pro-Palestine slogans released on bail

A man who allegedly graffitied Commonwealth buildings several times with pro-Palestine slogans has been granted bail.

Brendan Evans, 20, allegedly spray-painted the slogans on the exterior of the ABC Canberra building in Dickson on four occasions across February and March 2024.

He also allegedly spray-painted slogans on the exterior of the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in June.

Mr Evans applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon (26 September) after attending Gungahlin Police Station earlier that day.

The prosecutor didn’t oppose the bail application, although he asked the court to add extra conditions to Mr Evans’ bail, such as supervision elements.

Magistrate Alexandra Burt refused, saying the proposed extra conditions were “not proportionate” and “a bit of overkill” as Mr Evans did not have a criminal history.

The court heard he was unemployed and also “couch surfing”.

Before she granted bail, Magistrate Burt addressed Mr Evans directly, telling him that if he wanted “to engage in civic conversation”, he should “do so in a lawful manner”.

Under the conditions of his bail, he must stay 100 metres away from several locations, including the War Memorial, the ABC offices, Black Mountain and the Australian National University campus. If he is in transit, however, he can pass within five metres of the locations.

“What it means is if you’re going past those places, you must stay five metres away, but you can still go past them,” she said.

Mr Evans has been charged with two charges of damaging Commonwealth property and three counts of damaging Commonwealth property in joint commission with another person.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Detective Acting Superintendent Stephanie Leonard said he was charged following a months-long investigation by police.

They were currently investigating “a number of other incidents”, she said, though there was “no indication” Mr Evans would help police find the alleged co-offenders.

Detective Acting Superintendent Leonard asked the community to come forward if they had any information about the alleged incidents.

“I would like to remind the community that while peaceful protests are part of a healthy democracy, criminal acts – such as vandalism – will not be tolerated,” she said.

Mr Evans is next scheduled to appear in court on 24 October. No pleas were entered.