The Law Terror Threat in Melbourne averted.

[James_]

Not sure if this is the right forum but there has been a huge terror threat in Melbourne that's been averted.
Apparently, seven people have been arrested with the intent to set off explosives at Flinders St. Station, Federation Square and St. Paul's Cathedral on Christmas Day.
Apparent links with Islamic State.
More information to follow.

 

[James_]

Seven people have been arrested for allegedly planning a "significant" terrorist attack involving explosives and other weapons in Melbourne, possibly on Christmas Day.

Key points:

• Police believe plot involved use of explosives and other weapons and could have been planned for Christmas Day
• High profile locations including Federation Square and Flinders Street Station were targeted, police say
• Five people arrested still in custody and are being questioned by police

The arrests came after properties at Flemington, Meadow Heights and Dallas in Melbourne were raided as part of a counter-terrorism operation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said it was believed a number of people were intending to carry out an attack involving explosives and other weapons, possibly on Christmas Day.

"Over the last fortnight … we have had to conduct a criminal investigation relating to the formation of what we believe was a terrorist plot," he said.

"We believe that there was an intention to conduct what we call a multi-mode attack, possibly on Christmas Day."

Commissioner Ashton said police gathered the makings of an improvised explosive device during the raids.

Police believe those involved were inspired by the Islamic State group and planned to use explosives and other weapons in attacks targeting high-profile Melbourne locations including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, and St Paul's Cathedral.

"We believe, we alleged, a stated intention to commit an explosive act and we found some further evidence to support that," he said.

"There has also been evidence that we will lead around the possibility of an intention to use other weapons. That could include knives and/or a firearm."

Commissioner Ashton said four of the people arrested were Australian-born and aged in their 20s.

"The age groups range between 20 and 24 or 25. There is another suspect in this matter who will be charged that was an Egyptian-born Australian citizen. All the others were Australian-born," he said.

Plot an 'act of evil': Premier
Five of the people arrested are still in custody and being questioned by police, Commissioner Ashton added.

Premier Daniel Andrews said there would be an increased police presence at large gatherings in Victoria over the Christmas period.

"This is not an act of faith. What was being planned, what will be led in evidence, what the police will allege, was not an act of faith, not an act of religious observance, it was, instead, in its planning, an act of evil, a criminal act," he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was one of "the most substantial terrorist plots" to have been disrupted in Australia.

"What these criminals seek to do is to kill. But they also seek to frighten us, to cower us into abandoning our Australian way of life," he said.

"They want to frighten Australians. They want to divide Australians. They want us to turn on each other. We will not let them succeed."

​

 

[Xsess]

Trucks running down Christmas shoppers in Berlin, terror cells targeting Christmas celebrations, bombing of the Christian Lobby offices.

At least here in Australia our leaders know exactly what it isn't.

Premier Daniel Andrews

"This is not an act of faith. not an act of faith, not an act of religious observance,

 

[Fire]

Yeah, claiming it's not a religious act is pointless. It means nothing to tell someone what is or isn't motivating them.

I would be interested in knowing of most or all of the Australian born citizens were second generation. There seems to be a pattern of the second generation radicalising.

If so then I think we need to put in place some better programs and initiatives into trying to prevent this. Theres no point in accepting genuine, peaceful refugees if their kids grow up to resent us, and in their ignorance, try and turn us into what their parents fled.

For now though, good job to the police.

 

[Black Panther]

Daniel Andrews & his ALP/Green colleagues

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Totally disgusted with Andrews too. Where was the happiness in his eyes? The fear mongering? The political point scoring? He's totally wasted this opportunity, he didn't even tip the media off so they could film the raids! What kind of shoddy political operation is Andrews running? You'd never see a Coalition leader be so lax in their duty!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Throw those *s in jail for life the bastards.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Throw those ****s in jail for life the bastards.

Nah public floggings and amputations.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Trucks running down Christmas shoppers in Berlin, terror cells targeting Christmas celebrations, bombing of the Christian Lobby offices.

At least here in Australia our leaders know exactly what it isn't.

How can those contries can't prevent these attacks from happening when Australia did? I don't get it.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Nah public floggings and amputations.

And then put them in jail haha.

 

[Ohhh Errol]

How can those contries not prevent these attacks from happening when Australia did? I don't get it.

Maybe it's the population of potential radicals?

Maybe there is a correlation?

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Trucks running down Christmas shoppers in Berlin, terror cells targeting Christmas celebrations, bombing of the Christian Lobby offices.

At least here in Australia our leaders know exactly what it isn't.

Christian Lobby wasnt politically motivated according to police.

Thank god the intel we get in Australia, often from the muslim community, is of such a high standard.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Maybe it's the population of potential radicals?

Maybe there is a correlation?

Maybe

Glad they got them good job police.

 

[Xsess]

Christian Lobby wasnt politically motivated according to police.

Nor was this, according to the Premier.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Nor was this, according to the Premier.

Well then the premier is clearly wrong. Have you got a link to that comment?

But the ACL hate group bombing definitely wasnt according to the police and the perpetrator. Sounds like a suicide attempt that just happened to be near the ACL.

 

[Jiska]

Stick to discussing the matter at hand.

If you feel the need to bag the crap out of the entire Muslim faith because of your own personal hatred, head over here, there's a whole thread of your type waiting with salivating mouths.

 

[Xsess]

Well then the premier is clearly wrong. Have you got a link to that comment?

But the ACL hate group bombing definitely wasnt according to the police and the perpetrator. Sounds like a suicide attempt that just happened to be near the ACL.

Its quoted above in post #2

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Its quoted above in post #2

Ok he didnt say it wasnt political though in that quote. He is saying it isnt an act of faith. By omission i would say he is inferring that it is clearly political and criminal in nature.

 

[igon value]

Why bomb Federation Square unless you wanted to improve it.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Why bomb Federation Square unless you wanted to improve it.

Also why give Melburnians yet another reason to avoid the CBD on new years eve.

The most ****ed thing is that five terrorists in the CBD on new years wouldnt even be the dodgiest people there. Theyd probably get bashed by Apex.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Why bomb Federation Square unless you wanted to improve it.

I was more worried about Flinders St Station, St Pauls and Y&J myself.

 

[Xsess]

This is the new Australia, where potentially 7 mass murderers motivated by god knows what have banded together in a coordinated way to murder fellow Australians at Christmas.

Congrats to the Vic Police, now lets see the judiciary do their job - lock these animals up and throw away the key.

 

[Todman]

don't we have a Terrorism act that can detain them for 28 days for interrogation purposes?

 

[VineyIsLORD]

don't we have a Terrorism act that can detain them for 28 days for interrogation purposes?

I might be mistaken but im pretty sure its longer than that.

 

[Malifice]

Im glad we're catching them, but how can we stop them radicalising in the first place?

Four of them were born here.