Australian police thwart attack possibly planned for Christmas Day

[oberliner]

Source: CNN

Australian police announced Friday morning that they have made seven arrests while executing search warrants in connection with an ongoing investigation into a plot to commit a "multi-mode" terrorist attack, "possibly on Christmas day," according to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.

"Last night five search warrants were deployed as part of that operation. As a result of those search warrants, or during the execution of those warrants, seven arrests were made, and five of those persons are still in custody being questioned in relation to allegations of being involved in a terrorist event," Ashton said during a press conference.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/asia/australia-police-thwart-terrorist-attack/index.html?adkey=bn

[canetoad]

1. Another (local) link

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/seven-arrested-as-police-foil-planned-christmas-day-terror-attack-in-melbourne-20161222-gtgz90.html


Seven arrested as police foil planned Christmas Day terror attack in Melbourne

A Christmas Day terrorist plot targeting Melbourne landmarks has been foiled after police conducted raids across the city's north west.

Seven people have been arrested and five are in custody stopping what police chief commissioner Graham Ashton said was a potential multi-mode attack at Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral.

He said the attack, using "explosive devices" was "mostly likely" set to be carried out on Christmas Day.

Apart from explosives, police also suspect guns and knives may have been used. Police said the suspects were "self-radicalised" but inspired by Islamic State.

[oberliner]

2. Thanks

Glad that this was broken up - scary to think of what other sorts of attacks are in the works.

[canetoad]

3. I think the cops here are all over the threats

They've already arrested a few young men in the last couple of years; all self (or internet) radicalised.

This is the Age's live blog about the arrests if you're interested.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-express-friday-december-23-2016-20161222-gtgumz.html

[oberliner]

4. Interesting info there

Glad that Australia is so on the ball. Maybe the Europeans could learn from them? They seem to be asleep at the wheel sometimes - or at the very least have trouble communicating information with one another.

[canetoad]

5. I guess it's a lot simpler

Having six states and two territories, than trying to liaise between fifty states or two dozen countries. Eight forces and Aust. Federal Police makes it easy to collaborate and communicate.

[Matilda]

6. Some here are taking it with a grain of salt.

Whenever this government is in the shit (which is most of the time), it trots out a terror alert.

Cuts to pensions coming up on January 1st - let's keep people's minds on something else.

[oberliner]

7. Meaning what?

That people in Australia don't think an actual attack was being planned?

[Matilda]

8. Not necessarily.

It's quite noticeable how often the terror whistle sounds but nothing comes of it.

[oberliner]

9. Maybe the fact that nothing comes of it means that the authorities are doing their jobs well?

I don't know enough about the particulars in Australia to speak knowledgeably on the subject though.

[Matilda]

10. I hope they are!

It's just unfortunate that a number of incidents that really haven't been terrorism-related have been labelled, first by Abbott and later by Turnbull, as "terrorist" incidents. The term may be used loosely, but deliberately creates the impression that Australia is regularly the target of attacks.

And it so often comes when the government is in trouble, and is used to divert the attention.

The downside of course, is that when there really is something that could legitimately be called a terrorist plot, people tend to be sceptical.

[Violet_Crumble]

12. The media loves themselves some fearmongering as well

They'll take things the governments already blowing out of proportion and twist and amplify it 1000 times more. I had firsthand inside experience of that over the past two weeks with a bit of a hardware glitch where I work. even the usually reliable Canberra Times got so much wrong, so I've got a healthy distrust of the media when it comes to facts.

Btw my dads a pensioner and he's got a singleminded focus when it comes to the pension cuts. Turnbull could knock on his front door and scream 'Run! Hide! Terrorists!' and my dad would be 'screw that. Why are you cutting my pension, arsehole?'

Merry Xmas and good to see you again

[dhol82]

11. Maybe it's like the alerts during bushco

Every time there was something they wanted to hide, the alert color would go up and we were told to be afraid, be very afraid.