The guilty verdict handed down to Timothy Selwyn is being seen by some as extraordinary.

The 32-year-old was found guilty on one charge of publishing a pamphlet with seditious intent and not guilty on another.

Criminal law expert Scott Optican says he has never heard of a prosecution for a seditious pamphlet being brought.

He believes it is free speech to call for lawless action and only becomes sedition when that call is for immediate action and is capable of producing results.

Mr Optican says Selwyn has been found guilty of sedition for an act of free speech.