The Manhunt for Dezi Freeman: A Sovereign Citizen's Rejection of Authority

Wed Oct 22 2025 11:51:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Dezi Freeman, once a respected member of his community, is now a fugitive accused of killing two police officers. His troubling descent into the 'sovereign citizen' movement has raised questions about anti-government sentiments in Australia.

A major manhunt is underway for Dezi Freeman, a self-proclaimed 'sovereign citizen' from Victoria, Australia, accused of killing two police officers and injuring another. His history of anti-government rhetoric, especially intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his recent actions have highlighted concerns about authority rejection among certain groups in Australia.

A major hunt is continuing in the Australian state of Victoria for a man accused of shooting dead two police officers on his semi-rural property and injuring a third.

Police have confirmed that they are searching for Dezi Bird Freeman, a conspiracy theorist and self-described 'sovereign citizen' who rejects government and law.

Freeman, 56, has a long history with the police, and his hatred of authority has been well documented in online posts, videos, and court documents.

He has called police 'terrorist thugs', compared them to Nazis, and tried to arrest a magistrate during court proceedings.

Less than a week before the shooting of two police in Porepunkah, his wife, Mali, told a neighbour that she was concerned about his behaviour, The Age reports.

Locals described Freeman as initially kind and polite but noted a drastic change during the COVID-19 pandemic when he began exhibiting erratic behaviour and extreme views, including rejecting masks and vaccinations.

Freeman, born Desmond Christopher Filby, gained notoriety for his public opposition to health crisis measures, claiming he felt threatened by police officers and using alarming rhetoric to express his views.

Now, with the police on his trail and warnings issued about his being heavily armed, the community remains on edge as the search continues for Freeman in dense bushland.