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Three ‘Islamic extremists’ are arrested accused of ‘ideological-motivated’ assault and arson attack
- Three men, aged 16, 19, and 20 were arrested by counter terrorism officers
- Police allege the 19-year-old attempted to engage in a terrorist act in Melbourne
- Arrests relate to fire on February 18 and alleged assault on individual last week
Three men have been arrested by counter terrorism police officers in Victoria.
A 19-year-old allegedly attempted to engage in a terrorist act in Melbourne on Wednesday, police say.
He is currently being interviewed by police in relation to suspected terrorism offences.
A 20-year-old man from Epping is also in custody while a 16-year-old from Pascoe Vale was released after further inquiries.
Police say there will likely be no further arrests but the operation is ongoing.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Hermans said in a press conference the arrests relate to a fire on February 18 and an alleged assault on an individual in Melbourne’s CBD last week.
The incidents were allegedly ideologically motivated and Islamic based, and two of the men arrested are related to each other.
Footage released by police shows the 19-year-old man being walked into led into the Australian Federal Police headquarters.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said the young ages of the men arrested was concerning for police.
‘It’s a phenomenon we see regularly now with our counter terrorism, regardless of the ideology,’ he said.
‘The magnification of the online environment, what that means for the radicalisation of these young individuals…. that is certainly what we have seen out of the COVID period.
‘People have been driven into the online environment, and that has exacerbated some of the radicalisation we have seen.’
No charges have been laid yet and police have assured the public there is no ongoing threat.
More to come.
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