A Melbourne nurse who was jailed after trying to aid Syrian rebels is facing dozens of fresh charges amid allegations he viewed images of guns and extreme violence on social media.
Adam Brookman, who was arrested in November last year after being released from prison just a few months earlier, is facing 41 charges. Dozens of those relate to Mr Brookman allegedly breaching a control order between July and October 2021.
He appeared briefly on Friday via video link in Melbourne Magistrates Court, where magistrate Rose Falla set a date for a contest mention.
Mr Brookman did not speak and only nodded when addressed by Ms Falla. He kept his eyes downcast throughout proceedings.
Mr Brookman had already served six years behind bars on a single foreign incursion charge, to which he pleaded guilty.
While he hasn’t been convicted on terrorism, Mr Brookman was flagged by federal authorities as a person who has previously “engaged in a hostile activity in a foreign country”.
He was put under a control order to restrict his movements, including accessing social media.
Police will allege Mr Brookman used a his laptop and phone to view an array of material, such as images of firearms, ammunition and material that depicted torture in the form of extreme sexual violence.
According to court documents, Mr Brookman set a password for his phone and would not give details to federal police. He also deleted content from his devices.
Several charges relate to Mr Brookman breaching his control order by using social media platforms like Reddit, TikTok, Instaxjmtzywgram, Facebook and Twitter without gaining permission.
He used his devices to view “edged weapons, firearms and extreme violence”, court documents stated.
Mr Brookman also faces three counts of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.
The 45-year-old left his wife and children in Australia in 2014 to travel to Syria.
During his time in Syria, Mr Brookman helped Chechen rebels who were fighting the Assad regime during the civil war.
He provided medical care to wounded fighters.
Mr Brookman, a former Ambulance Victoria worker, surrendered to authorities in Turkey in 2015 and returned to Australia.
He did not apply for bail in court on Friday and will be remanded in custody until his next hearing on May 5.
