22 Sep 2012

Australian police charge pair with inciting violence

10:28 am on 22 September 2012

Police on alert for violent protest in Sydney have charged two men they said had used social media to encourage violence.

Since last Saturday, when a protest in the city against a US-made film that insults Islam turned violent, police have been monitoring social media for signs people may be planning a repeat of the unrest.

Two men have been charged with recruiting persons to engage in criminal activity and publishing to incite the commission of a crime.

Police say they not expect trouble this weekend, however hundreds of extra officers will be on duty, the ABC reports.

The force will include the riot squad, public order police, the mounted unit, the dog unit and an intelligence squad.

On Thursday, senior Muslim leaders joined with police in a rare press conference, urging calm, and the message was being reiterated at Friday prayers.

Muslims were told to be patient and to ignore any urgings to protest.