UPDATE 10/3/22: Police have dropped charges against Friendlyjordies’ producer Kristo Langker today, after he was arrested and charged with the alleged intimidation and stalking of NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
On Thursday, the case was was mentioned at Downing Centre Local Court, where all four charges were dropped – according to The Age. Police were also ordered to pay $12,000 in costs.
According to The Guardian‘s exclusive report, the NSW Police’s Fixated Persons Investigation Unit arrested Langker in Dulwich Hill on June 4. He was reportedly charged with two offences of “stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical or mental harm.”
“He was taken to Newtown police station where he was charged with stalking,” a spokesman for the NSW Police told The Guardian.
“Police will allege the offences were made at Macquarie University on Monday, 19 April, 2021, and at Sydney on Friday, 4 June, 2021.”
“He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newtown Local Court on Thursday, 24 June, 2021.”
This comes after Barilaro sued Jordan Shanks (Friendlyjordies) for defamation, accusing him of a “smear campaign” and “racist” attacks.
According to The Guardian, Kristo Langker’s lawyer Xenephon Davis has criticised the nature of the arrest, and also claims that his mother was pushed to the ground by police during the arrest.
Davis reportedly condemned the use of the Fixated Persons Investigation Unit, due to it being “utterly extreme”, and commonly used for lone-acting extremists.
In exclusive footage obtained by The Guardian and filmed by a member of Langker’s family, it is reported that a woman can be heard yelling at members of the NSW Police for pushing her over.
“You hurt a 51-year-old woman. You knocked me over,” a woman reportedly said.
“You pushed me down. You assaulted me. You assaulted me.”
In a statement made by the NSW Police, Barilaro is stated to have made a complaint due to fear for safety after interactions with Langker.
“The behaviour of the accused, Friendlyjordies and the public reach of the Friendlyjordies media platform has caused the victim to be constantly anxious and in fear of his and his families [sic],” they said.
“Due to the public reach and offensive nature of the Friendlyjordies media platform, the victim in his public position is harassed by the followers of Friendlyjordies.”
