The five teenagers were arrested early on Saturday in an operation in suburban Melbourne carried out by Victorian state police and the Australian Federal Police. Searches were still continuing in the south-east of the city, said the statement, issued jointly by the two forces.
Two 18-year-olds were arrested regarding alleged terrorism-related offences. A third 18-year-old has been arrested in relation to alleged weapons offences, while two other teenagers aged 18 and 19 are in custody and assisting police with their enquiries. All five are from suburbs in the city's far southeast.
"It is alleged the men were undertaking preparations for planning a terrorist act in Australia, which included targeting police officers," the statement said.
The five had allegedly planned to carry out an attack against police during the upcoming Anzac Day centenary commemoration on April 25, Neil Gaughan, the acting deputy commissioner of the Federal Police, told local media.
Anzac Day falls on the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the first World War; the invasion of Gallipoli in Turkey.
Australia has recently sent hundreds of soldiers to Iraq to help train forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The country raised its threat level to high last September and has since carried out a series of counter-terrorism raids, with alarm fuelled by the departure of at least 110 of its nationals to Iraq and Syria to fight with ISIL.
Australians have been recruited to both sides of the conflict, and some have been killed, despite a government ban on Australians fighting on either side.
A string of incidents, including a December siege in a Sydney cafe by a self-styled cleric who attempted to link his actions to ISIL, have raised fears over radicalisation among Muslims in Australia.
In February, two men were charged after police thwarted an "imminent" attack in Sydney, seizing an ISIL flag, a machete and an Arabic-language video detailing the alleged plot.
aljazeera.com
18/4/15
--
-
Related:
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Australian teenagers held over alleged Melbourne terror plot...
ReplyDeletePolice in Australia say they have foiled an Islamic State-inspired plot to carry out an attack at a World War One centenary event.
Police arrested five suspects, including two 18-year-olds being held for alleged terrorism-related offences.
They said the men were planning to target police at an Anzac memorial event in Melbourne next week.
About 200 police officers took part in the counter-terrorism operation in the city early on Saturday.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Neil Gaughan told reporters that evidence suggested the suspects had been influenced by Islamic State.
One of the men, Sevdet Besim, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court and was charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act.
Police say a second man held on terrorism-related offences is also likely to be charged.
A third man, also 18, was arrested on weapons charges and two other teenagers, aged 18 and 19, were in custody and assisting with inquiries.
Officials referred to possible attacks using "edged weapons", but Mr Gaughan said there was no evidence to suggest there was "a planned beheading".........http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-32361721
18/4/15
Five teenagers arrested in Australian terror plot...
ReplyDeleteFive teenagers arrested in Australia were planning an terrorist attack next week at an event to mark the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli during World War 1, Prime Minister Tony Abbot has said.
More than 200 police were involved in a series of raids in Melbourne in the early hours of this morning.
Five men aged 18 and 19 were detained.
The run-up to this year's centenary has been marked by numerous television programmes and commemorations, sparking concerns that radicals may target the celebrations for a high-profile attack.
"There were a series of raids in metropolitan Melbourne. Five people were arrested," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.
"Two will be charged with preparing a terrorist act.
"The act that we believe was in preparation involved attacks against police officers on ANZAC Day."
Senior police officials said that they found "edged weapons" including a sword and knife during the raids, but were confident the threat had been contained.
Australia has sent hundreds of soldiers to Iraq to help train forces fighting the self-sytled Islamic State, heightening concerns about reprisal attacks in the homeland.....rte.ie
18/4/15