Foiled Anzac Day Terror Plot Linked to 18-Year-Old's Death in Police Raid

Strategic Insights -

Victorian police believe the alleged Anzac Day terrorism plot was partly a revenge attack for the death of 18-year-old Numan Haider in September, who was shot dead after allegedly assaulting two police officers. The alleged plot, which was foiled in a counter-terrorism raid on Saturday, was likely to target a police officer at a suburban Anzac Day service, with the suspects possibly intending to behead the officer and take their weapons.

Key Takeaways:

  • The alleged plot was linked to the death of 18-year-old Numan Haider, who was shot dead in September after allegedly attacking two police officers outside Endeavour Hills police station.
  • Police believe the alleged plot was in part payback for Haider's death, and was likely to involve an attack on a police officer at a suburban Anzac Day service.
  • A 14-year-old boy in Britain was arrested in connection with the alleged plot, after investigators received information from UK authorities about communications between the teenager and a suspect in Australia.
  • Sevdet Ramdan Besim, 18, of Hallam, has been charged with conspiracy to prepare or plan terrorist acts, and is due to appear in court on Friday.
  • Another 18-year-old was still being held under a preventive detention order on Monday, while a third man, also 18, was expected to be charged with weapons offences.
  • Channel Seven reported that the alleged plan was to run over a police officer, behead them, and take their weapons.
  • Haider had reportedly been in contact with Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, also known as Neil Prakash, an IS recruiter who had contact with Haider through social media.
  • Junaid Thorne, a Muslim activist and preacher, sent sympathetic tweets about Haider and the teenagers arrested in Saturday's raids.

Statistics:

  • 3 suspects were arrested in the counter-terrorism raids on Saturday, with 2 released without charge.
  • 1 suspect, Sevdet Ramdan Besim, has been charged with conspiracy to prepare or plan terrorist acts.
  • 1 other suspect, aged 18, is being held under a preventive detention order.
  • 1 suspect, also 18, is expected to be charged with weapons offences.
  • 1 alleged plotter was reportedly linked to Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, also known as Neil Prakash.
  • The 14-year-old boy arrested in Britain had communications with a suspect in Australia that were uncovered by investigators.

Sources:

  • "AFP confirms link between 14-year-old's arrest and Operation Rising" - Fairfax Media
  • Interview with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Anzac Day - The Australian
  • Channel Seven report on alleged plot to behead police officer - Channel Seven
  • Details of suspects arrested in counter-terrorism raids - Victorian Police
  • Background on Numan Haider and his alleged attack on police officers - The Age