Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell has pleaded guilty to his role in the attack on Camp Sovereignty last year.
Numerous neo-Nazis linked to the National Socialist Network (NSN) — recently classified as a terrorist organisation by the federal government — were accused of attacking Camp Sovereignty on August 31 last year.
The attacks followed a series of anti-immigration rallies held nationwide. Footage showed about 40 men dressed in black — many allegedly linked to the NSN and some carrying flagpoles and sticks — storming the Indigenous camp at Melbourne's Kings Domain.
Established in 2006 by Krautungalung Elder Robbie Thorpe, Camp Sovereignty is a peaceful site for community gathering, reflection and ceremony. It is also the resting place of the repatriated remains of 38 Aboriginal Victorians.
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On Wednesday, Mr Sewell, 33, alongside Nathan Bull, Jake Crokett and Michael Saarinen, pleaded guilty to one count each of violent disorder in Victoria's County Court.
All four men had their bail extended to November 9.
Mr Sewell, the leader and figurehead of the NSN, said that while he had pleaded guilty to the offence, he contested the facts of the case.
Outside court, Mr Sewell told reporters the media and the police have "lied" about the events of August 31st.
He said he did not dispute "spontaneous violence on the day" but argued that "what is in dispute is whether that spontaneous violence had causes and whether there was cause and effect of this".
Mr Sewell said his group was provoked and suggested the average Australian would have responded the same way.
"What must be contested is that this was not an attack on Aboriginal people," he said.
His lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, said a number of witnesses would be called to give evidence at a pre-sentence hearing, where contextual facts would be contested.
"Antifa and protesters causing violence to cars - that's the context," Mr Dann said.
So far, the Australian Federal Police has declined to charge any NSN member with a federal hate crime, despite many — including more than 20 federal crossbench MPs — arguing that the attacks fit the criteria.
With AAP
