An Australian restaurateur faces potential imprisonment after pleading guilty this week to displaying Nazi symbols at an anti-Israel rally.

Alan Yazbek, co-founder of the prestigious Nomad Group restaurant empire, found himself at the center of controversy following his actions at an October 6 rally in Sydney’s central business district.

During the rally, Yazbek was photographed holding two controversial signs. The first replaced the Star of David on the Israeli flag with a blue swastika, accompanied by the text “Stop Nazi Israel.” The second sign, featuring the green and yellow colors associated with Hezbollah, proclaimed “our boys in green and gold will win.”

Despite the massive turnout at the demonstration, Yazbek emerged as the only participant to face criminal charges. His case represents a significant test of Australia’s recently enacted laws, implemented in 2022, which explicitly prohibit the display of Nazi symbols and gestures. The 56-year-old now awaits sentencing scheduled for December 10. If convicted, he could receive up to 12 months behind bars and/or a substantial fine of 11,000 Australian dollars (approximately $7,300).

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Yazbek’s wife and business partner Rebecca said that her husband is no longer involved in the business.

“Two weeks ago, our co-director, Al Yazbek, behaved in a way that offended a lot of people,” she said. “We deeply regret the impact his actions have had on the community, and for that, we sincerely apologize.”