Accused Islamic State propagandist Mohamed Bakit granted bail due to health concerns

A 65-year-old Melbourne man accused of spreading extremist material for the Islamic State terror group has been granted bail due to his significant health issues. Mohamed Bakit was arrested by counter-terrorism police at his Carlton home on September 23.

He has been in custody since he was charged with multiple offences, including using a carriage service to transmit violent extremist material, possessing violent extremist material, and being a member of a terrorist organisation.

At a hearing on Thursday in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, Deputy Chief Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge granted bail, citing Mr Bakit's significant health issues, including the effects of a stroke in 2023 and a permanent and significant neurological disability.

"[Prison] simply cannot provide the same levels of support or care without hospitalisation," Magistrate Lethbridge said.

The magistrate said any risks could be ameliorated with strict bail conditions, including that Mr Bakit reside only at his apartment in Carlton, report regularly to police, and surrender any passports. He was also barred from leaving the state.

At a previous hearing, the court heard Mr Bakit was a member of a WhatsApp group chat which was initially used to discuss religion but soon became a space to access and distribute extremist material.

"His communication demonstrates strong support to Islamic State," Ms Dillon said.

"The distribution of these materials shows active participation in the propagation of Islamic State."

Defence lawyer Michael McGrath previously argued that if the recipients of the material did not find it offensive, then no crime had been committed.

"The intention of the [legislation] is to stop the material from being distributed to people who don't want to receive it," Mr McGrath said.

Mr Bakit's case was adjourned until March.