A nationalist activist has had his charges dropped after spending almost four months in jail in Adelaide following his arrest during an Australia Day march.
Stephen Wells, 56, was among 16 members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) who were arrested on January 26 and was originally charged with “fail to cease loiter”. Others were charged with “possess article of disguise” for carrying hats and sunglasses.
Police then added a charge of “display Nazi symbol” for the NSN patch on his sleeve, and dropped the loitering charge in early March, but Mr Wells remained behind bars after prosecutors refused to alter bail conditions he considered to be a breach of his rights.
Mr Wells was due to face court again on May 22, but on Friday police prosecutors suddenly dropped the Nazi symbol charge, and he is now due to be released from maximum security Yatala Labour Prison, where he was transferred in April from the Adelaide Remand Centre.
Mr Wells’ lawyer Matthew Hopkins told Noticer News his client was now considering his legal options after spending 3 months and 21 days in remand on politically motivated charges.
“It is our client’s position that since his arrest he was held in remand unlawfully and held as a political prisoner. He is considering his available remedies,” he said.
“Throughout this ordeal our client has maintained his position that he and other members of the National Socialist Network were not breaking any laws when they held a peaceful Australia Day celebration at the Adelaide War Memorial on 26 January 2025.
“It is our client’s position that the South Australian Police engaged in a form of political policing, when it targeted and disrupted this peaceful and lawful Australia Day celebration. Our client’s position is supported by SAPOL’s current internal investigation into the Australia Day arrests.
“Our client strongly believes in the rule of law, and that every Australian should be free to exercise their right to political communication without fear of persecution by governments and their agencies.
“Our client cautions the Australian community, that governments have shifted too far to the left, and that attempts by left wing governments to outlaw the legitimate political ideology of National Socialism, which seeks to protect Australian culture and identity, is a dangerous slide into authoritarian government.”
The dropping of the charges comes a day after the NSN’s parent organisation White Australia released a documentary containing recordings of a South Australia Police officer saying he wanted to shoot members of the activist group.
Disturbing audio has emerged of a South Australia Police officer saying he wants to shoot nationalists who were celebrating Australia Day in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/1ZYh2nSbsn
— The Noticer (@NoticerNews) May 15, 2025
Mr Wells previously reported being treated violently during his arrest and left in severe pain while handcuffed inside a police vehicle, was denied access to foods that fit his dietary requirements, shower facilities, and toiletries during his first week in custody.
He was kept in solitary confinement with no access to direct sunlight for weeks, and faced court four times between January 26 and March 5 where magistrates repeatedly refused to amend his bail agreement which banned him from entering the Adelaide CBD and associating with other members of the NSN.
In a February 14 letter to his wife shared with Noticer News, Mr Wells said explained his principles made him unable to accept the bail conditions.
“I am not accepting any bail conditions that restrict my freedom of movement, freedom of association or freedom of speech. Either the presumption of innocence is backed up by the retention of a man’s liberties until after a trial or it is worthless and means nothing,” he wrote.
“Being jailed for refusing to accept the bail conditions is simply a coercion tactic to try and compel me to legitimise the taking away of my rights. I lose them either way.
“The jail may be worse in terms of suffering, but at least I am not consenting to be punished before trial. It is not about winning or losing. It is about not submitting to evil no matter the personal cost.”
White Australia leader Thomas Sewell and prominent NSN activist Joel Davis are among a handful of others arrested during and after the Australia Day march who are still facing similar charges. They are due in court later this month.
The rest, including young Melbourne father Nathan Bull, 23, have also had their charges dropped. Mr Bull told a magistrate in March that he intended to fight an “article of disguise” charge and had his case adjourned until April 28, only for prosecutors to then abandon the case.
Header image: Left, Stephen Wells during his arrest. Right, the NSN at the National War Memorial (supplied).
