Posted on 11/08/2005 6:35:35 PM PST by blam
Terror cells 'plotted devastating twin attack in Australia'
By Nick Squires in Sydney
(Filed: 09/11/2005)
Chilling details of an alleged plot by Islamist radicals to carry out a "catastrophic" terrorist attack in Australia emerged yesterday.
Police arrested 17 suspects during dawn raids involving 450 heavily armed policemen backed by helicopters. Authorities alleged that the suspects were members of a terrorist cell committed to "violent jihad" on Australian soil.
A bomb disposal officer had to check a suspect package at the Sydney arrest scene
Among those detained was a trainee electrician allegedly impatient to carry out a suicide bombing in retaliation for Canberra's support for the war in Iraq.
Police refused to reveal the group's alleged targets other than to rule out the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, which will be opened by the Queen.
Terrorism suspects have previously been caught carrying out surveillance on the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and the Melbourne stock exchange.
Eight men were arrested in Sydney and nine in Melbourne in the biggest counter-terrorism operation in Australia's history, the culmination of 16 months of surveillance.
One of the Sydney suspects was shot in the neck and critically injured after he fired at police who ordered him to stop as he walked towards a mosque.
One of the suspects is led to a cell after his arrest
"The police forces of this country might just have prevented a catastrophic act of terrorism," the New South Wales police minister, Carl Scully, said.
Ken Moroney, the head of the state's police force, said: "I'm satisfied that we have disrupted what I would regard as the final stages of a large-scale terrorist attack."
The nine members of the alleged Melbourne terror cell appeared in court, where prosecutors said they had carried out military training in the bush and had stockpiled chemicals capable of making bombs.
Police disclosed that they had 240 hours of secretly taped recordings in which the suspects allegedly discussed jihad and martyrdom.
The group's alleged leader, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 45, a Muslim preacher, was charged with directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and being a member of a terrorist organisation.
The remaining eight, aged between 21 and 31, were charged with being members of a terrorist organisation.
The eight Sydney suspects were charged with preparing to manufacture explosives in preparation for a terrorist act.
The arrested men had been plotting to "kill innocent women and children," Richard Maidment, QC, prosecuting, told Melbourne magistrates' court.
He said intense rivalry between the two groups meant the Melbourne cell were keen to outdo their counterparts in Sydney by fast-tracking plans for an attack.
I hope we're taking notes here.
Yet another case that confirms the wisdom of focusing attention on inspecting 80 year old grandmas.
I'm sure these were just disaffected Australian Immigrant Youths.
My, my...
Weren't handguns outlawed in Australia?
I hope EXECUTIONS are still allowed in Australia..
Semper Fi
The "Mosque" should be shut down, until a LAW ABIDING "cleric" is provided..
No new license for construction of ANY Mosque should be issued until it is determined if Muslims can be allowed to continue practicing that "cult" outside of Islamic states.
Semper Fi
Who says we are not at war?
The other day a poster informed me that Europe reverses their dates and Sat is 9-11. I hope and pray that was just a random pick and they aren't planning anything. This was coming awfully close though.
To paraphrase Sgt. Muldoon- Arab Islamist, African Islamist, South Asian Islamist, South East Asian Islamist, South Pacific Islamist... No sir Mr. Beckworth… It doesn't take a crystal ball or a hit by one of their weapons to know that what's involved here is Islamist domination of the world.
It's all a white Christian, southern redneck plot to blow stuff up.....dang it.
I think the Amish, Mormons and Catholics are trying to burn up France.....
Meanwhile the Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Anglicans are trying to fly jets into our office towers ..........and ya gotta really watch the 70 to 80 year olds .....especially the white women and the children.... we know how suicidal they get around Christmas.
You left off the obligatory 'Religion of Peace' ALERT ...
Good going! Does one imagine they caught a one of the suspects and politely asked him about the plots? My, I hope they were "humane" about any interrogation.:)
The Mosque should meet Mr. Caterpillar. Erase it's existence.
I'm growing weary of this crap. The countries with Muslim majorities have 6 months. If they don't cooperate, Medina goes up in smoke. Then they get 3 months. If its not fixed, Tehran goes up in smoke. Another 3 months, Mecca goes up in smoke Then start with the capitals of the Moslem nations.
They are using our restraint, tolerance and compassionate nature against us. It is time we be as indiscriminate as they are if they don't TRULY cooperate to get their radical brethren under control. We have been a lot more forgiving and patient than a reasonable, prudent person would be in defending their own well-being.
center of mass or the head shots that were done in london on the electrician.
No, they weren't. I own one. So do a number of my neighbours. They are subject to more restrictions than basic longarms in the sense you require a higher level licence, but they are in no way illegal.
I hope EXECUTIONS are still allowed in Australia..
Unfortunately not.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.