Islamic State extends reach? Australia thwarts alleged terror plot
Some 800 Australian police conducted raids in Sydney and Brisbane to foil an alleged plot to abduct and publicly behead citizens there. Those charged are allegedly linked to the extremist group Islamic State.
Some 800 Australian police conducted raids in Sydney and Brisbane to foil an alleged plot to abduct and publicly behead citizens there. Those charged are allegedly linked to the extremist group Islamic State.
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Australian authorities have charged two people and arrested several more in a massive sting operation over an alleged Islamic State-related plot to abduct and publicly behead a member of the public in Sydney.
Some 800 Australian police conducted synchronized pre-dawn raids across Sydney and Brisbane Thursday morning in connection with the plot, which was ordered by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that 15 people have been arrested, and Sydney resident Omarjan Azari was聽charged with conspiring in a plot to kidnap and murder Australian citizens.
The Sydney Morning Herald adds that nine of the 15 arrested have since been released, and a second man charged with arms possession-related offenses.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that orders for the plot came from "an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL, to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country," according to the Australian Associated Press.
Several media outlets identify that man as Mohammad Ali Baryalei, a former bouncer and actor in Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald describes Mr. Baryalei as the "most senior Australian member of the terrorist group Islamic State, having travelled to Syria in April last year."
海角大神 reported last month that Australia's Muslim community has come under increased pressure with the rise of the Islamic State. According to Australian intelligence sources, at least 60 Australians are fighting alongside IS, meaning "Australia, on a per capita basis, has more of its nationals involved in the Iraq-Syria theater than any other聽country." This has put some in the half-million strong community on the defensive, particularly as Mr. Abbott's government calls for Australian Muslims to get behind his 鈥淭eam Australia鈥澛爌roject to combat the threat of homegrown terrorism.