Police raids in Melbourne’s northern suburbs foil alleged Christmas Day terror attack
TERRORISTS planned a Christmas Day bomb attack targeting Melbourne landmarks including Federation Square and Flinders Street Station, police claim.
Six men and a woman were arrested and five males aged between 20 and 26 remain in custody. The suspects,
believed to have been inspired by the Islamic State, are expected to appear in court today charged with acts in preparation of a terrorist event. Four are
Australian-born with a Lebanese background and one is an Australian citizen born in
Egypt.
“Islamist terrorism is a global challenge that affects us all,” said the Prime Minister. “But we must not be cowed by the terrorists. This is one of the most substantial terrorist plots [to] have been disrupted over the last several years,” “This news will be of great concern to all Australians. We congregate in public places for Christmas, for New Year’s Eve. It is a time of happiness and joy.
“Over the last fortnight that has accelerated to where we have had to conduct a criminal investigation relating to the formation of what we believe was a terrorist plot. As a result of the investigation, we believe we have neutralised that threat.”
“These terrorists sought to disrupt it. They have been thwarted.”
The historic St Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Station were among the alleged city centre targets
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The alleged attack was set to include an “explosive event” and could have killed or injured a “substantial” number of people
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We believe that there was an intention to conduct what we call a multimode attack, possibly on Christmas Day,” he said. “The possible locations that we have been working on have been Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral.
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“We’ve gained evidence that we believe is of a reconnaissance mission being conducted at that site. We believe there was an intention to attack in relation to that area, most
likely on Christmas Day.”
He said the alleged attack being planned was going to involve “the use of explosives” and possibly knives and a firearm.
- Police carried out five raids overnight across Melbourne’s northwest after a weeks-long investigation, arresting seven people.
- The chief commissioner called the suspects “self-radicalised but certainly inspired by ISIS and ISIS propaganda.”
- The individuals involved in this matter, the subject of that investigation, have been persons of interest for Victoria Police and intelligence agencies now for some period of time.
- Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there would be an increased police presence on the streets during the Christmas and New Year period.
A 24-year-old man from Meadow Heights, a 26-year-old man from Dallas, a 22 -year-old man from Campbellfield, a 21-year-old man from Flemington and a 21-year-old man from Gladstone Park are all in custody. A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Meadow Heights, have been released without charge.
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Source -
http://www.news.com.au/national/vict...edc7203b02d04f
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-2...bourne/8143762