In an extensive overnight operation, Australian police have detained seven teenagers in Sydney following suspicions of religiously motivated extremism. The operation involving over 400 officers and 13 search warrants was a direct response to the stabbing of an Assyrian Orthodox bishop during a service that was live-streamed last week.
The individuals, aged between 15 and 17, were considered to present an immediate threat and have been linked to a network that allegedly includes a 16-year-old accused of the recent attack. New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson stating, “We will allege that these individuals adhered to a religiously motivated, violent extremist ideology.”
The aftermath of the bishop’s stabbing has left the community on high alert, with the attack being quickly deemed by the police as a ‘terrorist’ act. The youth involved in that incident has already been charged with committing a terrorist act.
Deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett of the Australian federal police, who were aiding investigations and in the execution of the warrants, said that there was “no evidence” of any planned attack.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has confirmed the involvement of Australia’s security service in the operation. Burgess highlighted the increasing prevalence of minors in counterterrorism investigations, noting the vulnerability of this demographic, particularly in relation to the influence of social media content.
“Australia’s security service is always doing its thing to provide security intelligence that enables the police to deal with these problems when we have immediate threats to life or anything else that’s evolving,” Burgess said.
Of the seven apprehended, two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old have been charged with conspiring to engage in or planning a terrorist act, and two others, aged 14 and 17, face charges for possessing or controlling violent extremist material accessed online. All five are scheduled to appear in a children’s court.
Investigations continue and additional suspects may be implicated, especially following a subsequent riot at the church after the stabbing incident.
NSW officials have assured locals that there is no ongoing threat to their community, adding that the arrests had “mitigated any further risks”.
Relevant articles:
– Seven juveniles with alleged ‘violent extremist ideology’ arrested in Sydney counter-terror raids, theguardian.com, 04/24/2024
– Australia’s counterterrorism team arrests seven teens in overnight raids, Al Jazeera English, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:37:38 GMT
– Australian police charge 5 teens in investigation stemming from stabbing of Sydney bishop, The Washington Post, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:08:00 GMT
– Sydney bishop stabbing: Seven teens arrests in counter, Premier Christian News, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:07:44 GMT
– Teens charged with planning attack after alleged terror cell uncovered, Sydney Morning Herald, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:54:03 GMT