Facebook has begun removing postings and groups that threaten violence against accused arsonist Brendan Sokaluk, while his MySpace page has been suspended following requests from Victoria Police.
Yesterday it was revealed that thousands of Facebook vigilantes, frustrated at a court order protecting Sokaluk, published his photograph and address on the site and made numerous threats to his life.
The move potentially breached an order suppressing his image and address amid fears of a violent backlash by angry victims. Lawyers warned that people responsible for the postings could face criminal charges, while the messages could force a mistrial as they jeopardised the accused's right to a fair trial.
Sokaluk's lawyer, Julian McMahon, said threats were made against his client's family as a result of the online posts.
"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."
But after Victoria Police said yesterday it was investigating the legal ramifications of the online postings, Facebook has removed the worst postings calling for Sokaluk to be tortured.
An image of Sokaluk has also been removed from one of the groups, although it can still be found on another profile that appears to have been set up by an online prankster.
Some inflammatory postings remain, including: "String him up by the neck and set the bastard on fire."
A link to Sokaluk's MySpace page was widely circulated yesterday but it has now been disabled, MySpace Australia director of safety David Batch said.
"MySpace has local representatives who work closely with law enforcement at a state and federal level. In this instance MySpace is working closely with Victoria Police and has suspended the accused's MySpace profile pending the outcome of the police investigation and any court determination," said Batch.
A Facebook spokeswoman said the site extended sympathy and concern for all those affected by the Victorian bushfires. She said Facebook was an online network that enabled everyday conversations to be carried out online.
"We want Facebook to be a place where people can discuss issues and current affairs, while respecting the rights and feelings of others," the spokeswoman said.
"For example, as set out in our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use, we will remove groups reported to us that are found to express hatred or threaten violence towards people. The goal of our Code of Conduct and policies is to strike a very delicate balance between giving Facebook users the freedom to express their opinions and beliefs, while also ensuring that individuals and groups of people do not feel threatened or endangered."
Sokaluk is accused of starting the the Churchill-Jerraland fires in Gippsland, which killed at least 11 people.
He has been charged with one count of arson causing death, one count of intentionally lighting a bushfire and one count of possessing child pornography.
The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, with the bushfire charge carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years.
