Massive Christmas Day Islamic ‘terror attack’ foiled, say Australia police

Five Muslim men aged between 20 and 25 are expected to appear in court today charged with acts in preparation of a terrorist event. They are believed to have been inspired by the Islamic State, police said. In other words, like the Islamic State, they were inspired by Islam.

A “substantial” number of lives were saved. Baruch HaShem.

Police raids in Melbourne’s northern suburbs foil alleged Christmas Day terror attack

TERRORISTS planned a Christmas Day bomb attack targeting Melbourne landmarks including Federation Square and Flinders Street Station, police claim.

Five male suspects aged between 20 and 25 are expected to appear in court today charged with acts in preparation of a terrorist event. They are believed to have been inspired by the Islamic State, police said.

Four are Australian-born with a Lebanese background and one is an Australian citizen born in Egypt.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there will be an increased police presence on the streets during the Christmas and New Year period.

A major multi-agency operation between Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) foiled the alleged plot.

It was set to include an “explosive event” and could have injured a “substantial” number of people, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said in a press conference this morning.

“We believe that there was an intention to conduct what we call a multimode attack, possibly on Christmas Day,” he said. “The possible locations that we have been working on have been Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral.

The historic St Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Station were among the alleged targets. Picture: Eugene HylandSource:News Corp Australia

“We’ve gained evidence that we believe is of a reconnaissance mission being conducted at that site. We believe there was an intention to attack in relation to that area, most likely on Christmas Day.”

He said police believed the alleged attack being planned was going to involve “the use of explosives” and possibly knives and a firearm.

Mr Ashton said police carried out five search warrants overnight after a weeks-long investigation, with seven arrests made. Five of those suspects, described as “self-radicalised”, remain in custody.

“We’ve had an investigation that’s been running now for couple of weeks,” he said. “The individuals involved in this matter, the subject of that investigation, have been persons of interest for Victoria Police and intelligence agencies now for some period of time. They have been people we have been concerned about.

“Over the last fortnight that has accelerated to where we have had to conduct a criminal investigation relating to the formation of what we believe was a terrorist plot. As a result of the investigation, we believe we have neutralised that threat.”

Ahmed said around 30 officers in riot gear raided his Gladstone Park home last night and took his brother into custody. Picture: Nicole GarmstonSource:News Corp Australia

Police raided a number of properties across Melbourne’s northwest overnight. Search warrants were executed across Flemington, Meadow Heights, Dallas, Campbellfield and Gladstone Park.

A man named Ahmed, 31, told the Herald Sun that around 30 officers in riot gear stormed his home in Gladstone Park at around 9pm last night and took one of his brothers into custody.

Mr Andrews said the alleged planned attacks “were not acts of faith” but “acts of evil” and that “all of us, particularly at this special time of the year, should remember that.”

He thanked the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO for foiling the alleged plot.

“What they have been able to foil here, what they have been able to uncover and stop, is a very, very serious matter,” he said. “It goes to the heart of the security of our state and it’s a timely reminder that threat levels, persons of interest, the counter-terrorism command established by Victoria Police recently, the resources that we provide to Victoria Police, they are all very real and very important.

“These threats are not notional, they are very real right across our city and state.”