Graphic Artist Says Nazi Symbols Charge Is Being Weaponised

A graphic artist has plead not guilty after satirical art he hung in the window of his Wagga Wagga shop saw him charged with displaying Nazi symbols.

Michael Agzarian was charged with one count of displaying Nazi symbols by a public act without lawful excuse, after he hung posters in his design studio’s window that depicted Coalition politicians and Australian billionaires in Nazi regalia in the lead up to the federal election.

Although the police had previously determined that the display didn’t break the Australian Criminal Code on March 31, the 69-year-old was charged on July 8 following “further inquiries”.

Agzarian’s lawyer, Nick Hanna, entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf.

The law criminalising the display of Nazi symbols in NSW was passed in August 2022, and was intensified in February, following Premier Chris Minns’ efforts to curb anti-Semitism and racial hatred.

Speaking to the ABC after the court appearance, Hanna said the law was not being used as it was intended.

“This offence provision is not being used to combat Nazism or far right extremism or racism, but rather to be weaponised against people who are protesting against injustices that are being carried out,” he said.

“In this case, the protest was against certain politicians and a very powerful and wealthy businessperson in Australia.

“Whether you agree or disagree with what Mr Agzarian has expressed in his artwork, I hope we can all agree that people should be able to express their political views through art.”

Depicted local MP brought matter to police himself

The display at Agzarian’s graphic design shop, Advision, included then-Opposition leader Peter Dutton, high-profile billionaires Gina Rineheart and Clive Palmer, and Riverina MP Michael McCormack in World War II era Nazi uniforms. McCormack confirmed to local Riverina news outlet, Region that he had reported the issue to police.

“The Nazis killed six million Jews in the Holocaust,” McCormack said in a post condeming the display on Instagram. “This remains one of the worst mass murders in human history. The Nazis were pure evil. To be depicted as one of them is as insulting as it is vile. It says all you need to know about the person who designed this image.”

Agzarian claimed the posters were a parody of the World War II 1960’s sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, but McCormack said he wasn’t laughing.

“If this is his idea of a joke, Hogan’s Heroes or otherwise, he needs to take a long deep look at himself,” he said. “Wagga will not stand for this, kids who get off on school buses across the road don’t need to see it and people walking past don’t want to be subject to it.”

The matter has been adjourned until next month.