Australian police foils Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton Alleged Those Detained Planned To Attack High-profile Locations Including Melbourne's Iconic Train Station, Federation Square And St Paul's Cathedral.
An Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot targeting central Melbourne with explosives has been foiled after raids across the city resulted in seven arrests, police said on Thursday.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton alleged those detained planned to attack high-profile locations including Melbourne's iconic train station, Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral.
"Over the last fortnight... we have had to conduct a criminal investigation relating to the formation of what we believe was a terrorist plot," he told a press conference.
"We believe that there was an intention to conduct what we call a multi-mode attack, possibly on Christmas Day. "The attack that we will allege was being planned, we believe was going to involve an explosive event, the use of explosives, and we gathered evidence to support that. Of the seven arrested today morning, five remain in custody.
Ashton said four of them were Australian-born, of Lebanese background, with the fifth an Egyptian-born Australian citizen, all in their 20s. "Certainly these are self-radicalised, we believe, but inspired by ISIS and ISIS propaganda," he added.
For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
More from World
EUFSC President Konstantin Ishkhanov “Thrilled†to Announce Opening of InClassica Festival in Dubai
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise Set to Begin Between Indian Navy and Saudi Arabia Navy
Excellent job by India in reducing COVID-19 related deaths by clamping lockdown: Indian-American doc
Pak summons Indian diplomat over expulsion of 2 High Commission officials on espionage charges
Trump postpones G7 summit, wants India, others to join group