Teenage boys charged with planning a terrorist act in Sydney
Two teenage boys have been charged over allegedly preparing a terrorist act and being members of a terrorist organisation, as police warn the threat of a terrorist attack on Australian soil remains “probable”.
The 16-year-olds were arrested allegedly carrying two bayonet-type knives by the joint counter-terrorism team near a Bankstown prayer hall in western Sydney on Wednesday.
Each was charged on Thursday with planning a terrorist act, which carries a penalty of life in prison, and being a member of a terrorist organisation, which carries a penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, NSW police said.
Police had believed an attack was imminent, New South Wales police Acting Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters in Sydney.
“We will be alleging that the two 16-year-old boys went to a gun shop in Bankstown and purchased two knives,” she said. “They have then gone from that location, caught a bus to the location in Bankstown where they were arrested and those items were seized.
“We believe the attack was inspired by Islamic State,” Burn added. She declined to confirm reports one was related to a man already in jail convicted of terror offences. “We were well aware of these two 16-year-olds. We have been concerned about them,” she said.
more at Teen terrorism suspect with bayonet vowed to outdo Curtis Cheng shooting: police
and Arrested teens 'planned IS-inspired attack' say Sydney police - BBC News
"We have been saying for a long time now that primary for all of us is about public safety," Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan said.
"Anybody who says they've got the silver bullet to youth radicalisation, please tell me all about it," he said.
The arrests comes one month after a 22-year-old man was charged with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder in southwest Sydney.
(Two teens and a schizophrenic (see Australia - man charged with terrorism after stabbing) - well done!)
Two teenage boys have been charged over allegedly preparing a terrorist act and being members of a terrorist organisation, as police warn the threat of a terrorist attack on Australian soil remains “probable”.
The 16-year-olds were arrested allegedly carrying two bayonet-type knives by the joint counter-terrorism team near a Bankstown prayer hall in western Sydney on Wednesday.
Each was charged on Thursday with planning a terrorist act, which carries a penalty of life in prison, and being a member of a terrorist organisation, which carries a penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, NSW police said.
Police had believed an attack was imminent, New South Wales police Acting Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters in Sydney.
“We will be alleging that the two 16-year-old boys went to a gun shop in Bankstown and purchased two knives,” she said. “They have then gone from that location, caught a bus to the location in Bankstown where they were arrested and those items were seized.
“We believe the attack was inspired by Islamic State,” Burn added. She declined to confirm reports one was related to a man already in jail convicted of terror offences. “We were well aware of these two 16-year-olds. We have been concerned about them,” she said.
more at Teen terrorism suspect with bayonet vowed to outdo Curtis Cheng shooting: police
and Arrested teens 'planned IS-inspired attack' say Sydney police - BBC News
"We have been saying for a long time now that primary for all of us is about public safety," Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan said.
"Anybody who says they've got the silver bullet to youth radicalisation, please tell me all about it," he said.
The arrests comes one month after a 22-year-old man was charged with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder in southwest Sydney.
(Two teens and a schizophrenic (see Australia - man charged with terrorism after stabbing) - well done!)
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