Thomas Sewell, a leader of a neo-Nazi group, has been denied bail following charges related to an attack on a First Nations camp in Melbourne. Sewell appeared in court on Wednesday, where he was remanded in custody after police argued he posed a significant danger to the community. The 33-year-old faces 25 charges, including violent disorder, affray, assault, and discharging a missile, stemming from the incident at Camp Sovereignty on Sunday.

During the court proceedings, Sewell applied for bail but was ordered to remain in custody until his case is heard. A magistrate emphasized the public's right to live without exposure to hateful speech. Sewell was accompanied by approximately a dozen supporters as he faced the court.

Detective Senior Constable Saer Pascoe testified that Sewell's recent behavior has shown an escalation in violence. "The applicant's behaviour in recent times has been escalating in violence and concerning behaviour," Pascoe stated, reinforcing the argument against granting bail.

In a related development, one of Sewell's associates has been charged for his role in disrupting the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier this year. The service was interrupted during a Welcome to Country address, where some attendees began to boo and heckle. Despite the disruption, many in the crowd responded with applause.

A 23-year-old man from Mooroolbark was arrested on Tuesday and charged with behaving in an offensive manner and participating in a disturbance. He will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 17. This individual also faces charges related to the attack on Camp Sovereignty.

The disruption at the dawn service in April drew widespread condemnation. The event's solemn atmosphere was disrupted during the Welcome to Country address delivered by Uncle Mark Brown, a Bunurong man. Reports indicate that a group of far-right extremists was present at the Shrine during the service. Police later escorted Jacob Hersant, a prominent neo-Nazi, away from the event. Hersant was previously convicted for performing an illegal Nazi salute in public and received a one-month prison sentence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the heckling at the Melbourne service, calling it "an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice." The ongoing legal proceedings against Sewell and his associates highlight the tensions surrounding far-right extremism in Australia.