Alleged Islamic State terrorist arrested and charged in NSW
A man has been arrested in Sydney’s south this morning and charged with a number of terror offences.
The 34-year-old was arrested just before 8am, with police carrying out a search warrant in his house, and taken to Sutherland Police Station.
He has since been charged with knowingly collect document connected with terrorism and knowingly be member of terrorist organisation, namely Islamic State.
Police say they will allege in court that the man claims to be a member of Islamic State, and that he had collected a large amount of extremist material, which he also shared online.
He will further be accused of making numerous threats to commit acts of against law enforcement officers and other community leaders.
He has been refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Christmas Day.
Earlier Detective Superintendent Michael Sheehy said the man had been the subject of ongoing counter-terrorism investigations since 2016.
This time last year, he was arrested and charged with using a social media platform to distribute material which may offend, harass or menace.
He spent six months behind bars and was released mid-2021.
Superintendent Sheehy alleged the man had refused to participate in de-radicalisation attempts and that he continued to promote Islamic State material online.
Due to an “escalation” of his activity, Superintendent Sheehy said, it became necessary to arrest him today.
“He was posting significant amounts of material with respect to bombings, beheadings, manufacturing explosives,” he said.
“We will suggest he was preparing a terror attack, an act of violence against law enforcement.”
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Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said the 34-year-old had made threats against law enforcement and the broader community, including members of the Muslim community.
“It goes to show that the actions of this man, and the violent extremist ideology, and the ideology of Islamic State, the hatred and terror that is espoused, is not reflective of the broader Islamic community,” Mr Lee said.
Superintendent Sheehy said no explosives had been found on the property, and that the man had “absolutely” been working alone.
Police have said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Information about criminal activity impacting on the community should be reported to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
