It is understood police will allege the boy spoke with an undercover officer through an online chat application, discussing how he could get his hands on a firearm, The Daily Telegraph reported. They arrested him near his home in the suburb of Auburn.
Advertisement
Police have since carried out dozens of raids, which they say aimed to thwart multiple plots, including an alleged plan to attack government buildings and a naval base in Sydney. It happened between April 25, 1915, and January 9, 1916.
The young apprentice electrician can not be named for legal reasons.
He was allegedly in contact with police as part of an intervention program attempting to disrupt overseas recruitment for the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.
The boy is expected to apply for bail on Friday. The 16-year-old was accused of trying to obtain a firearm.
“They don’t have any criminal ties or any criminal convictions”. Court documents also state that what was classified as extremist propaganda was also found.
Police point to the vulnerability of teenagers to become radicalized.
“When we reflect on Anzac Day we imagine the Gallipoli landings, what it must have been like, at dawn on the water, in sight of that rugged shoreline – and a collectively held breath, a leaden silence about to be broken, said Alexander Downer, Australian high commissioner to the United Kingdom, addressing the crowds”.
The boy was charged overnight with one count of preparing for, or planning a terrorism act.
The ceremony marked the 101st anniversary of the day thousands of soldiers struggled ashore on a narrow beach at Gallipoli, Turkey during an ill-fated campaign that would eventually claim more than 130,000 lives. “Their sacrifices made Australia safe and secure and prosperous as it is now so we are very grateful”, Mr Syed said.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the age of the suspect was troubling but not surprising. A large attendance is expected at the National Service of Commemoration in Wellington later in the morning.
Australian authorities have increased security around the Anzac commemorations. Is there anything we should be doing differently to mark the day?
“So, please, don’t be perturbed”.
Advertisement
Comm Scipione said counter terrorism police were forced to act on Sunday afternoon in order to ensure public safety.
