The Chaser, in true Chaser fashion, have called out the arrest of Kristo Langker after the YouTube show producer was arrested for allegedly stalking and intimidating NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
Langker, who is a producer for controversial YouTuber Friendlyjordies, was arrested earlier this month at his home in Sydney’s Inner West for allegedly stalking and intimidating the NSW Deputy Premier.
Friendlyjordies is currently being sued by Barilaro for defamation after the comedian posted a video mocking the state Premier and accusing him of corruption and environmental vandalism.
According to Junkee, Langker has been arrested in relation to two incidents involving Barilaro.
Barilaro alleges that Langker and Shanks approached him dressed as video game characters and shouted: “Why are you suing us?”
The Deputy Premier claims the second incident, which happened just hours before Langker was arrested, saw Langker allegedly approached Barilaro and ask, “Deputy Premier, why are you suing my boss?”
Junkee reported that Langker was arrested by the NSW Police Fixated Person’s Investigation Unit, which was established following the infamous Lindt cafe siege to deal with lone act extremists.
The Chaser, who are infamous for their comedic stunts involving politicians (who could forget their APEC security breach?), called out the recent actions taken against Langker in their signature satire style on Twitter.
Tracey Grimshaw to be waterboarded at Guantanamo after dodgy builder complains about stalking
— The Chaser (@chaser) June 14, 2021
Time to bust out the Osama suit
— The Chaser (@chaser) June 14, 2021
The Chaser also temporarily changed its account name on Twitter to “The Stalker”.
The arrest of Langker has also caused a stir more widely Twitter, with many users citing the arrest as an abuse of power.
This is absolutely ridiculous and The Chaser would have been arrested over John Howard for sure. Barilaro got The Fixated Person's unit to go for Kristo Langker who is a journalist, not a stalker. Bruz needs more than stalking: https://t.co/qFV3K63z6w
— Kate Emerson 🇵🇸 (@KateEmerson88) June 13, 2021
Kristo Langker. Friendly jordies. Know them. They call out corruption in NSW and then get ARRESTED in a very violent approach. Seriously. This is what fascism looks like.
— PeoplePower: ItsUpToUs (@lroc1501) June 14, 2021
If Kristo Langker, 21, (@friendlyjordies producer/researcher) is an accredited member of NSW parliamentary Press Gallery his arrest on @JohnBarilaroMP “fixated person” (stalking) charges would appear to be over-reach and an abuse of power. @GladysB @MarkSpeakman @xenophondavis https://t.co/pyfgQf1UYx
— Quentin Dempster (@QuentinDempster) June 14, 2021
According to The Guardian, NSW Police confirmed they arrested a 21-year old man on 4 June at Dulwich Hill.
A spokeswoman for the police said the man was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with stalking.
“Police will allege the offences occurred at Macquarie University on Monday the 19th of April and Sydney on Friday the 4th of June,” the police spokeswoman said.
“He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newtown local court on the 24th of June.”
