Two arrested in Freeman manhunt probe as police close net on gunman's inner circle

Sydney — Two men were taken into custody overnight in Sydney and Brisbane, accused of conspiring with Dezi Freeman, the gunman whose death last March ended a seven-month manhunt. Police said the arrests are the first tangible breakthrough in an investigation that has traced Freeman’s movements across three states and linked him to at least six associates.

The men, aged 34 and 41, were charged under counter-terrorism legislation and face allegations of providing material support to Freeman, who authorities described as a lone-wolf extremist with a history of online radicalization. Police have not named the suspects, citing active legal proceedings.

Investigators believe Freeman was planning an attack on a government facility in Melbourne, though no specific targets have been confirmed. Surveillance footage and digital forensics have become central to the case, with police seizing multiple devices from the arrested men’s homes and vehicles.

Freeman, 39, gained notoriety for his online rants about a “global cabal” and was the subject of a nationwide alert issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). His death sparked debates about police use of force, with human rights groups demanding transparency over the final moments of the confrontation.

Neighbors of the Sydney suspect described him as reclusive, rarely seen outside his apartment, while the Brisbane man’s business records show irregular cash flows that investigators are scrutinizing. Both have been remanded without bail, with court hearings scheduled for next month.

The arrests come as Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews convened an emergency briefing with state police chiefs, signaling heightened concern over lone-wolf threats. Meanwhile, Freeman’s online footprint remains a focus, with cryptic messages and encrypted chats still under analysis for clues about his broader network.

1. March 12 — Freeman killed in Wagga Wagga standoff
2. March 13 — AFP issues public alert naming Freeman as a “person of interest”
3. April 5 — First suspect placed under surveillance in Sydney
4. May 18 — Digital forensics team uncovers links between suspects and Freeman

Forensic experts are examining the suspects’ digital footprints, including encrypted messages and financial transactions, to determine how deeply they were involved in Freeman’s plans. The investigation is expected to expand as police follow leads across Victoria and New South Wales.