COVID-19 'conspiracy theorist' James Bartolo arrested over alleged anti-lockdown protest
A COVID-19 ‘conspiracy theorist’ has been arrested in Melbourne after a video appeared to show police smashing down his door.
Bodybuilder James Bartolo posted a live video to Facebook on Friday morning, showing multiple police officers knocking on his door saying they had a search warrant.
At least three officers tell Bartolo to open the door before they force their way in.
“You’ve rocked up. I was on the toilet, I’ve just gotten up,” Bartolo says from his balcony in the video.
One officer tells him to immediately come downstairs and that they are there for the alleged incitement of a protest.
After he refuses to come down, one officer appears to smash the door in.
Bartolo then appears to run downstairs and is immediately tackled to the ground by the officers.
Police can be heard saying “stop resisting” during the arrest.
7NEWS.com.au has contacted Victoria Police for comment.
On Thursday night, Bartolo posted a video to his Facebook telling his followers he would be attending Saturday’s anti-lockdown protest.
He runs a conspiracy website called The Conscious Truth Network and shares videos claiming COVID-19 is a hoax.
https://7news.com.au/news/victoria-police/covid-19-conspiracy-theorist-james-bartolo-arrested-over-alleged-anti-lockdown-protest–c-1291718