Martin Place was evacuated at the height of Monday morning rush hour as scores of armed police surrounded the Lindt chocolate cafe, with TV pictures showing a flag—black with white Arabic script—held to a window by hostages.
It appears to be the shahada, or profession of faith in Islam, and says: “There is no god but Allah; Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah.”
More than four hours into the crisis, police said they had not had direct contact with the hostage-taker.
“We have moved to a footing that would be consistent with a terrorist event,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told reporters in Sydney.
“There seems to be a suggestion the police have a line in to someone inside who’s a hostage," reported FRANCE 24's Irris Makler from Sydney. "It's been suggested that there are signals from outside to inside. That does seem to be the route [the police] want to take, to speak to the hostages.”
The nearby Sydney Opera House was also cleared by police, apparently over a suspicious package.
Amid the crisis mobile phone coverage in the city centre was badly affected, with users reporting difficulties in receiving and making calls.......................http://www.france24.com/en/20141215-hostage-situation-sydney-islamic-flag-australia/
15/12/14
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A hostage situation, that has been condemned by Australia’s National Imams Council, erupted inside a chocolate shop and cafe in Australia’s largest city on Monday, with the nation’s prime minister saying it may be “politically motivated.”...
ReplyDeleteNew South Wales state police said they were dealing with “an armed incident,” and said they were trying to make contact with people inside the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney.
Three people were seen running out of the cafe. The hostages appeared to come out of a side door which was being watched by heavily armed police, almost six hours after the standoff began. It is not clear how many people remain inside...............http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/15/Hostage-situation-erupts-in-Sydney-cafe.html
15/12/14
Geiseln in Café in Sydney müssen islamische Flagge zeigen ...
ReplyDeleteIn Sydney werden seit dem Morgen rund 15 Geiseln in einem Café festgehalten. Der Täter zwang sie, eine islamische Flagge ins Fenster zu hängen. Nach Stunden können drei fliehen. Mehr im Liveblog. .....................http://www.welt.de/politik/article135366115/Geiseln-in-Cafe-in-Sydney-muessen-islamische-Flagge-zeigen.html
15/12/14
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he has convened the National Security Committee for emergency briefings after hostages were reportedly taken in a Sydney cafe earlier on Monday...
ReplyDelete"This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner," the prime minister's office said in a statement.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Australian-government-convenes-National-Security-Committee-after-hostages-taken-384649
15/12/14
Report: Suspected Islamist gunman demands to speak with Australian PM Abbott, wants ISIS flags ...
ReplyDeleteThe suspected Islamist gunman holding up to 30 people hostage in a downtown Sydney coffee shop is demanding to speak with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott as security forces surround the premises in a tense stand-off.
According to Sky News Australia, the man is also demanding that authorities deliver Islamic State flags to the café. Earlier on Monday, hostages were seen holding a black flag with Arabic and Islamic insignia against the window of the Lindt café in the center of Sydney’s business hub.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Report-Suspected-Islamist-gunman-demands-to-speak-with-Australian-PM-Abbott-wants-ISIS-flags-384664
15/12/14