<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prosecutors have dropped charges against a man accused of threatening serious harm against the prime minister in an online</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nathan Ballesty was arrested in December after he allegedly posted an online threat calling for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="" title="Anthony Albanese"><span>Anthony Albanese</span></a><span> to be kidnapped.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The post followed a series of offensive communications sent by the 27-year-old, primarily through the messaging platform Discord, according to police at the time.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-live-updates-march-13-donald-trump-latest-news-headlines/2c48fadd-6ec9-4b19-9392-9ec9255db683"><strong><span>Trump says new Iran leader 'probably' alive as conspiracies swirl</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Days before his arrest, he allegedly performed a Nazi salute in public in his home suburb of Beacon Hill on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span>'s northern beaches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While 11 charges remain, a charge of threatening serious harm against the prime minister has been withdrawn, federal prosecutors have told AAP.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged conduct is covered by a less serious charge of using a carriage service to menace or offend.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nathan-ballesty-court-updates/059ea4dd-baaa-4405-89da-f3e0bd377af0" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The newer charge alleges he engaged in a call on Discord with unknown others on December 15 which would be regarded as offensive or menacing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/interest-rates-anz-raises-fixes-rates-in-anticipation-of-rba-cash-rate-hike/1437e009-acfd-4d1d-b830-ca4d75f4e87d"><strong><span>Bank jumps the gun with fixed rate hike before predicted RBA double blow</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If convicted of that charge, Ballesty faces a maximum of three years in prison, down from the seven-year term attached to the serious harm threat offence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ballesty is facing 11 charges, including eight counts of using a carriage service to menace or offend and one count of making a Nazi salute in a public place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 27-year-old has not entered pleas to the charges against him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He will remain behind bars on remand until he returns to court in May.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ballesty's home was raided on December 21 after a national security investigation spearheaded by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="" title="federal police"><span>federal police</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Several electronic devices were seized for examination.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Federal police have made threats to MPs a particular focus in the past year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" 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