A 65-year-old man accused of disseminating large volumes of ISIS propaganda online has been granted bail despite the serious nature of the charges against him. Mohamed Musse Bakit, who has been receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support for 24 hours a week due to significant health issues, was released under strict conditions by a Victorian court on Thursday.
Bakit faces multiple charges, including being a member of a terrorist organisation between 2018 and 2020, possessing extreme violent material, and using a carriage service to offend or menace. He was arrested in September by the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team. Authorities allege he was a prolific contributor to a WhatsApp group that shared thousands of ISIS-related files, ranging from execution videos to official propaganda.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, noting the potential harm to the community. However, he said Bakit’s age, fragile health, lack of any previous criminal record, and the historic nature of the accusations collectively met the court’s high threshold for bail.
Bakit has lived in Australia since 1981 and reportedly sustained a stroke in 2023, leaving him with impairments that increase his risks of choking and falls. He relies on government-funded NDIS care to assist with everyday activities such as showering, dressing, and mobility. The magistrate noted that if held on remand pending trial, Bakit could face 18 months or more in custody, a factor considered in the bail decision.
The prosecution agreed not to oppose bail outright, acknowledging it could not meet the “unacceptable risk” test required to refuse release, but imposed stringent conditions on his freedom. Bakit must remain at his Carlton residence, report weekly to Melbourne East police station, and surrender all travel documents. He is prohibited from leaving Victoria, using encrypted messaging services, accessing extremist content, or using any telephone other than a police-approved device.
Court documents outline allegations that Bakit was among the most active participants in a WhatsApp group created in 2014, sharing nearly 10,000 files including execution footage, suicide bombing videos, and official ISIS magazines. These publications reportedly contained detailed instructions on carrying out mass-casualty attacks and disguising activities from intelligence agencies.
The case also highlighted an associated investigation into Dr. Omar Elamin, a Queensland doctor accused of forming an online network of radicalised individuals before fleeing to Libya in 2016. Authorities consider Bakit to have been a key figure within this group. Bakit allegedly celebrated Elamin’s flight overseas with messages declaring “Allah is the greatest” and “Omar has won.”
Detective Leading Senior Constable Katharine Dillon confirmed that Elamin remains under active investigation by Australian Federal Police and Queensland police. The trial of Bakit is pending.