ImageCourtesy: newtelegraphonline.com
Five teenagers were arrested in counter-terrorism raids in allegedly planning Islamic State-inspired attacks on police at Anzac Day events in Melbourne, Australia.
Among the arrested, an 18-year-old Hallam teen has been charged with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and is expected to appear in the Melbourne magistrates court on Saturday afternoon. Another 18-year old teen from a nearby locality, Hampton Park, is also expected to be convicted on the charges to prepare and plot a terrorist attack, according to the statement released by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Another man of the same age from Narre Warren had been arrested on the offence of possesing weapons, while the latter two were retained in police custody.
Counter-terrorism investigators and other officials, early on Saturday morning, raided properties across Melbourne’s south east regions, seizing knives and swords among other weapons, based on information that attacks were imminent.
The AFP and local police confirmed that the five men were associates of Abdul Numan Haider, the teenager who had been shot dead by police in an encounter in Endeavour Hills last year, after he stabbed two cops. Meanwhile, officials have refused to give specific insights into the supposed attacks, but say that the police and local masses at Anzac activities around the city of Melbourne were the immediate target.
Police officials have requested people to avoid making judgments about community members or defaming each other’s religion’s.
Around 200 police were involved in the raids across Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam and Eumemmerring about 3am. Police were still at a number of properties in those areas on Saturday afternoon. Though the threat has been contained, the act has been viewed as ‘dreadful’ by the masses with strict security arrangements being made. Three of the five men had been treated for minor injuries they sustained during the morning raids.
The alleged plan had been a retaliation based on previous incidences occurring in Australia based on racial and religious differences. People have been asked to remain calm as ever with the police, assuring that normalcy and efficiency would be restored back, as soon as possible, along with implementing strict security measures.
Tags: Australia Melbourne
