Oscar Diaz Ysuiza faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he denied two charges of performing a Nazi salute in a public place that was likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate.
The 24-year-old airport worker allegedly performed three salutes towards a group of Jewish school-aged children near the departures terminal at Melbourne Airport on February 2.
Ysuiza allegedly left the airport shortly after and the incident was reported to Australian Federal Police.
The man, from Greenvale in Melbourne's north, who held an Aviation Security Identification Card, sat in court behind his legal aid lawyer.
"In relation to the charges, do you plead guilty or not guilty?" magistrate Donna Bakos asked the accused.Â
"Not guilty," Ysuiza replied.
Ms Bakos referred to CCTV footage that allegedly showed Ysuiza performing the salute while standing amongst a group of five friends, with one friend motioning for him to lower his hand.
His lawyer had raised an issue with the charges, arguing the prosecution had no evidence his alleged action would go to offending or humiliating a reasonable person.
Ms Bakos disagreed with the issue and denied the defence's request to cross-examine a witness, being one of the schoolchildren.
Ysuiza, who had his bail conditions extended, will face a directions hearing in the county court on June 11 before standing trial.
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