Counterterrorism police have alleged two of the five men they arrested in an operation in Melbourne this morning were planning an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack on an Anzac Day ceremony.
An 18-year-old Hallam man has been charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
A second man, 18, from Hampton Park, was also arrested on terrorism-related offences this morning during a major joint counterterrorism team operation.
A third man was arrested for weapons offences and two other men were in custody assisting police with their enquiries, after seven search warrants were executed.
Three of the five men arrested were injured in the operation.
One suffered a head wound and another resisted arrest.
Capsicum spray was used to subdue the men.
The Australian Federal Police said they believed the two 18-year-olds were plotting an attack to take place on Anzac Day.
AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan said it was believed the attacks were to have involved the use of “edged knives”.
“It is alleged both men were undertaking preparations for a terrorist attack at an Anzac Day activity in Melbourne which included targeting police officers,” he said.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton described the plot as being inspired by Islamic State (IS).
“At this stage we have no information that it was a planned beheading. But there was reference to an attack on police,” he told a news conference in Melbourne.
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“Some evidence that was collected at a couple of the scenes and some other information we have leads us to believe that this particular matter was ISIS-inspired.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Gaughan said this morning’s operation involved 200 police officers and was the culmination of Operation Rising.
The ABC understands that a number of the arrested men attended the Al Furqan Islamic study centre in South Springvale and were associates of Abdul Numan Haider, who also attended the centre.
Haider was shot and killed by counterterrorism police in September last year.
Deputy Commissioner Patton said members of the community should not feel anxious.
“At this stage we’re comfortable that we have this threat fully contained,” he said.
“[Members of the public] should feel reassurance as a result of the operations.”
Resident said raid was a ‘shock’
Searches are continuing at several addresses in the south-eastern metropolitan area and investigations are ongoing.
David Johnston lives near one of the houses raided in Hallam and said he was on good terms with the residents.
“It just frightens you because you don’t know what’s happening,” he said.
“It’s just a shock. You wouldn’t think it would happen in your street.”
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Federal Government Minister Mathias Cormann has told Sky it was a concerning development.
“It’s obviously a matter of concern that we face this kind of threat in our community,” he said.
“It’s good to know that our counterterrorism agencies are working to keep us safe.”
Terror plot ‘evil’, security increased for Anzac Day events: Premier
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the alleged terrorist plot was “simply evil, plain and simple”.
He said Victorians needed to take the threats seriously but never be “defined by them”.
“These people arrested today are not people of faith, they don’t represent any culture,” he said.
“This is not an issue of how you pray or where you were born. This is not about those issues.
“Together with Victoria Police, Commonwealth law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the Victorian Government continues to take reasonable and necessary steps to keep every Victorian safe.”
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Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright assured the community that the force would take “additional steps” to keep the community safe on Anzac Day.
“There will be a greatly increased visible police presence,” he said.
“There is a significant increase in police numbers over the major events that are coming up over this week, particularly over the Anzac Day weekend.
“We are not restricting our planning and thoughts to Melbourne. We are looking at Anzac Day events around Victoria, strengthening our events there.”
The national terrorism alert level remains high and anyone who sees suspicious activities is advised to call the national security hotline on 1800 123 400.
A version of this story was originally published on ABC.
Top Comments
This upsets me beyond belief. If you are not happy living in Australia, move. When you become an Australian citizen, you agree to the way of life. I migrated to Australian in 1987 and I absolutely love it. I assimilated. I still practice my religion and cultural activities but I do so in private in my own home and don't impose my beliefs on anyone. Why can't people do that?
Well said. Unfortunately, Australia, like England, France etc has many new arrivals who do not want to assimilate and only want their religion to grow and prosper. The looney left and greens are aiming to destroy this country.