MELBOURNE - At least one family member of a man accused of lighting a fire that killed at least 10 people has been threatened, a court has heard.
The accused man was named as Brendan Sokaluk, 39, of Churchill after Magistrate Jonathon Kledstadt lifted a suppression order banning
his identity on Monday.
Sokaluk is charged over the fatal Churchill fire and is in custody in a secret location charged with one count each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire and possessing child pornography.
The Herald and Weekly Times (HWT) appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, fighting a remaining order banning publication of Sokaluk's image.
Sokaluk's lawyer Julian McMahon told the Practice Court his client's image should not be released because his personal safety was at risk.
Mr McMahon said his client's photo and "shocking" comments were posted on social networking website Facebook on Monday night but appeared to have been taken down on Tuesday.
"My client's photo was published extensively after the hearing yesterday," he said.
"Facebook groups were ... showing my client's photo and calling for his torture and death.
"The safety of my client is of ... concern."
Mr McMahon said threats were made against his client's family.
"There have been ... threats made to one other family member at least that I'm aware of," he said.
"Not only is there the understandable community anger which suddenly has a focus point, there's also vicious hatred appearing in another kind of medium."
There was also publicity about others linked to Sokaluk, including a woman once said to have been his girlfriend, he said.
"There's a very ugly aspect to this," he said.
Mr McMahon said identity could also be an issue at trial.
Crown prosecutor Chris Beal agreed the accused's protection should not be reduced.
Mr Beal said the Director of Public Prosecutions had warned media to abide by the order and was considering contempt proceedings.
HWT lawyer David Gilbertson argued the image should be released because the magistrate had applied the wrong test in determining his revision of the order.
The matter will return to court on Friday.
- AAP
