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Police arrest two men linked to Freeman manhunt
Australian authorities have detained two men suspected of assisting Dezi Freeman, the anti-government extremist shot dead by police in March after a seven-month evasion.
Background of the manhunt
Freeman, a self-proclaimed "sovereign citizen," killed two police officers in August 2025 during a raid on his rural Victoria property in Porepunkah. The officers, Senior Constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart, were serving an arrest warrant related to historical sex offenses when Freeman opened fire.
After the attack, Freeman vanished into dense bushland, triggering one of Australia's most extensive police searches. Authorities later revealed he had likely received outside help to flee the area.
Arrests and ongoing investigation
On Tuesday, Victoria Police announced the arrest of two men, aged 48 and 45, at separate locations. Both are being questioned but no charges have been filed. Police stated the investigation remains active and declined to provide further details.
"The investigation remains ongoing and as such, we are not in a position to provide further details at this immediate time."
Victoria Police
Freeman's final confrontation
In March 2026, a tip led police to a remote farm in Victoria, where Freeman was hiding in a shipping container. After a three-hour standoff, he emerged wrapped in a blanket, armed with a firearm taken from one of the slain officers. Police shot him dead during the encounter.
Court reveals new details of August attack
A coronial inquest this week disclosed additional allegations against Freeman, including an attempted sexual assault involving a child and efforts to produce child abuse material. Court documents state Freeman refused to exit his converted bus during the raid, shooting Thompson as he climbed through a window and de Waart as officers retreated.
Lindsay Spence, counsel assisting the coroner, told the court Freeman later used de Waart's weapon to shoot Thompson again.
Upcoming inquests
The Victorian Coroners Court will conduct two separate inquiries: one into the deaths of Thompson and de Waart, and another into Freeman's killing by police.
