A Victorian man has faced court accused of sending 38 suspicious packages to embassies and consulates across Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, forcing closures and evacuations.
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Savas Avan, 49, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with sending dangerous articles to be carried by post.
He was arrested at his Shepparton home last night.
"What's the article?" magistrate Costas Kilias asked.
"Asbestos," commonwealth prosecutor Matthew Simpson replied.
Court documents outline a single charge alleging Avan allowed the 38 packages to be carried by Australia Post on Monday, that each contained "a quantity of asbestos" and that he was "reckless as to the danger of serious harm".
Avan appeared in court wearing red shorts and a black t-shirt embellished with pictures from the children's film, Minions, and the words "more than meets the eye".
His lawyer Sonia Sawant said it was Avan's first time in custody and there were no custody management issues.
Prosecutors are seeking a jailhouse order from Mr Kilias that would allow them to further question Avan while he is being held in the court cells.
Avan did not apply for bail and is due to return to court for a committal mention on March 4.
Australian Associated Press
