Sydney Student, 24, Faces Charges: Aspiring Teacher's Double Life Revealed

A promising young woman with a clear path toward a career in education has been arrested in Sydney on serious charges relating to material allegedly found and shared online.

Shantel Shandil, 24, was taken into custody at her Quakers Hill home in Sydney’s north-west on Thursday. The arrest follows a four-month investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) into material allegedly associated with her online accounts.

Ms. Shandil, also known as Hussain, is charged concerning content on two social media accounts. Police allege this material was intended to motivate or inspire violent acts and allegedly glorified 'martyrdom' and allegiance to known extremist groups.

The charges bring a sudden halt to a life marked by dedicated academia and community-focused goals, now subject to a complex legal process.

Personal Life, Faith, and Heritage

Ms. Shandil is an Australian citizen residing in Sydney. She is identified as a member of the local Muslim community with a background understood to include Fijian Indian heritage.

She recently graduated in September from Charles Sturt University (CSU) with a Bachelor of Islamic Studies. At the time of her arrest, she had commenced a Master of Secondary Education and Teaching, a program she began earlier this year with the stated goal of becoming a high school teacher.

In public posts detailing her academic journey, Ms. Shandil spoke about her profound connection to her faith. She wrote that she chose her studies to "deepen" her understanding of Islam's "rich history" and to use her knowledge to "contribute to the community" as an educator, mentor, and positive influence.

Academic and Online Profile

During her time at CSU, Ms. Shandil actively shared her student life online, offering study advice and reflections on her daily routine. She also successfully built a public profile, attracting over 50,000 followers on TikTok by sharing content related to her Islamic studies, claiming it allowed her to connect with students globally.

Adding a poignant note to the case, Ms. Shandil had previously cautioned fellow students about the importance of their digital footprint, advising them that an online presence should align with the professional impression they wished to give employers.

The AFP’s investigation, launched in July, included a raid on her home that month. Police allege a phone seized from the property contained 43 files of 'violent extremist material' which Ms. Shandil had allegedly been posting online.

The Charges and Official Concerns

Shantel Shandil faces two serious charges:

• Using a carriage service for violent extremist material.
• Possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.

If the charges are proven, each carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt released a statement expressing concern about the online targeting of young Australians. He stressed that the AFP believes extremist groups are targeting "vulnerable and young individuals online as they are more susceptible to being influenced," drawing parallels to grooming tactics.

The Assistant Commissioner called upon parents, schools, and technology companies to be vigilant in preventing access to, and consumption of, this type of material and to identify the early signs of online radicalisation.

Ms. Shandil was refused bail in Blacktown Local Court on Thursday and remains in custody, spending her 24th birthday (October 17) behind bars. She is next scheduled to appear before the court on October 24. The judicial process will determine the veracity of the police allegations.