Melbourne man Jacob Hersant set to be first person charged with performing Nazi salute under new laws

A 24-year-old man is set to be the first person in Victoria to be charged with performing a Nazi salute after he allegedly made the gesture outside a Melbourne court last week.

Jacob Hersant had walked free from a courtroom at the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday after avoiding additional jail time over an attack on a group of hikers in regional Victoria in 2021.

As he walked out of court, alongside fellow right-wing extremist Thomas Sewell, Hersant turned to media and said "heil Hitler" before raising his right arm at a slight angle.

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"Nearly did it," he added. "It's illegal now, isn't it?"

It is the first time a Nazi salute has been reported to police since new state legislation came into effect on October 21, outlawing the public display of Nazi gestures or symbols.

Police said a 24-year-old Point Cook man was interviewed yesterday and is expected to be charged on summons.

"Police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breach on the prohibition on performing Nazi salutes or displaying Nazi symbols in public," police said.