Sydney barber under investigation for shocking social media posts glorifying terrorism - but hides behind his mummy when confronted by Daily Mail Australia
A Sydney barber is under investigation over social media posts that appear to support terrorists - but his mother says he is underage and wasnt aware of new counter-terrorism laws.
A Sydney barber is under investigation over social media posts that appear to support terrorists - but his mother says he is underage and wasnt aware of new counter-terrorism laws.
Zac Zhour, who works at Z VIP Barber in southwest Sydney, recently published posts to Instagram and Facebook glorifying the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas.
One included the words: Jihad is the greatest deed.
In another post, Zhour wore a black headband, sometimes worn by jihadists in battle, and made a salute with a young child.
A third post depicted the Jewish Star of David covered in blood, accompanied by the quote: Surely we will bring a severe retribution to the wrongdoers.
Zhour also posted videos that appeared to be filmed in Lebanon and showed the Hezbollah symbol.
Australia has designated both Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist groups, and in January, the display of terrorist symbols was banned at the federal level.
Confronted by a Sky News reporter at the shop this week, Zhour said police had paid him a visit over the posts, but insisted it was only for a friendly chat.
He also maintained he had no regrets about his posts.
Zhours mother says Sky News shouldnt have interrogated her son because he is a child.
I don’t regret them because innocent children are being killed and obviously, if you are human and you have a heart, that’s not OK.
I know for a fact that these associations arent terrorist groups, but I know for a fact that in the Western world, that’s what they’re stated as.
When Daily Mail Australia contacted the barbershop on Thursday, Zhour said, Im actually under-age, and preferred his mother to speak on his behalf.
The mother said that her son had no idea the images were wrong.
It could be possible that a 17-year-old is not aware of those laws, she said.
Anything hes posted as a child is irrelevant. Its in the past, and he wasnt aware that he wasnt supposed to.
NSW Police have confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory was appalled by Zhours posts.
In one post, Zhour wears a black headband and makes a salute with a young child.
Its certainly very suspicious and its something we would urge law enforcement to take seriously, he told Sky News.
This isn’t an isolated case. We’ve seen many incidents of the Muslim community expressing support for proscribed terrorist organisations since October 7.
Its a great concern to Australia, its a great concern to the Jewish community, to ordinary Australians and for social cohesion.
One of the posts included the words Jihad is the greatest deed.
Another shows the Star of David covered in blood
Zhour is not the first Australian to come under scrutiny after the new counter-terrorism laws were brought in.
A 19-year-old woman is fighting allegations in court after she was accused of displaying the Hezbollah flag at a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney.
Sarah Mouhanna was charged with causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol, and entered a not-guilty plea in October.
