https://www.theguardian.com/austral...bbing-wakeley-counter-terror-raids-afp-police
Seven juveniles have been arrested as part of extensive counter-terrorism raids across south-western Sydney, with police alleging they adhere to a “religiously motivated violent extremist ideology”.
New South Wales police said 13 search warrants were executed on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of seven “juveniles” including 15, 16 and 17-year-olds. Five others are assisting police with their inquiries.
The arrests come amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanual at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley last week. A 16-year-old has been charged with a terrorist offence over the alleged attack.
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.
She said the arrests come as part of the NSW joint counter-terrorism team’s (JCTT) investigation into the alleged offender and his associates.
“We identified links between the alleged offender and a network of associates and peers who would believe shared a similar violent extremist ideology.
“At this time, we have no evidence of specific locations, times, or targets of a violent act,” she said.
The NSW police deputy commissioner, David Hudson, said that the arrests come amid concerns that “it was likely that an attack might ensue”.
“It was considered that the group, subject of our attention, posed an unacceptable risk to the people of New South Wales, and our current purely investigative strategies could not adequately ensure public safety.”
“Their behaviour, whilst under that surveillance, led us to believe that, if they were to commit any act, we would not be able to prevent that.”
Seven juveniles have been arrested as part of extensive counter-terrorism raids across south-western Sydney, with police alleging they adhere to a “religiously motivated violent extremist ideology”.
New South Wales police said 13 search warrants were executed on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of seven “juveniles” including 15, 16 and 17-year-olds. Five others are assisting police with their inquiries.
The arrests come amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanual at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley last week. A 16-year-old has been charged with a terrorist offence over the alleged attack.
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.
She said the arrests come as part of the NSW joint counter-terrorism team’s (JCTT) investigation into the alleged offender and his associates.
“We identified links between the alleged offender and a network of associates and peers who would believe shared a similar violent extremist ideology.
“At this time, we have no evidence of specific locations, times, or targets of a violent act,” she said.
The NSW police deputy commissioner, David Hudson, said that the arrests come amid concerns that “it was likely that an attack might ensue”.
“It was considered that the group, subject of our attention, posed an unacceptable risk to the people of New South Wales, and our current purely investigative strategies could not adequately ensure public safety.”
“Their behaviour, whilst under that surveillance, led us to believe that, if they were to commit any act, we would not be able to prevent that.”
