NSW Police warrant for anti-terror raids circulated, terror accused teen’s home targeted

One of the western Sydney teens arrested in anti-terror raids had videos emblazoned with the logos of Hamas-affiliated organisations that showed soldiers firing weapons, explosions and buildings collapsing, police allege in court documents.

One of the western Sydney teens arrested in anti-terror raids had videos emblazoned with the logos of Hamas-affiliated organisations that showed soldiers firing weapons, explosions and buildings collapsing, police allege in court documents.

The 17-year-old, who was arrested along with the group of other boys during the raids on April 24, had first come under the radar of detectives when they were investigating a series of unrelated assaults and robberies against gay people, according to a police fact sheet tendered to court.

Officers raided his home as part of that investigation and seized his phone, later allegedly finding extremist material on the device, including videos of war labelled with the logos of Hamas-affiliated organisations.

The teenager’s car was vandalised while he was in custody.

The side mirror was torn off. Pictures: Supplied

The car’s windscreen had been smashed in. Picture: Supplied

Police allege in the court documents that three such videos depicted footage of soldiers firing weapons, explosions and buildings collapsing.

“Indicia of Hamas-affiliated organisations appear at the start of each video, taken together, the videos depict serious violence and advocate political and ideological causes associated with Hamas, and would encourage a person to either engage in or plan a violent action or associate with Hamas or affiliated organisations,” police allege in the fact sheet.

NSW Police arrested a number of teenagers after raids across Sydney last month.

Pictures: NSW Police

The teen, who was charged with using a carriage service to possess terror material, also had Islamic State beheading videos on his phone, the fact sheet states. The 17-year-old, legally represented by barister Ertunc Ozen SC and solicitor Talal Krayem, was granted bail last week. He is yet to enter a plea.

He has not been charged over the assaults against gay people.

While he was in custody on remand on Anzac Day, his car that was parked outside his parents’ suburban home was damaged in a vandalism attack.

Dr Jamal Rifi urged people to be careful. Picture: Britta Campion

A warrant containing personal details that police used in anti-terror raids was circulating in the community.

Dr Jamal Rifi, an Australian Lebanese Muslim GP and community leader in western Sydney, confirmed he himself was sent the warrant shortly after the raids.

The terror raids and arrests were made after a bishop was stabbed in Wakeley last month.

He said he did a ring around, including to mosques, for people to be careful.

“Whoever sent it to me, he was concerned, he wanted to alert me,” Dr Rifi said.

“That caused us a great concern, because if there is someone out there that is intending to do such a violent vigilante attack and take revenge (they) might be targeting other addresses on the warrant and also places of worship.

“I actually made some calls to places of worship, just to be vigilant, to be alert and to do a security appraisal of the places”.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said of the leaking of the warrant: “The document is legally required to be served on the person or lawful occupier at the time a search warrant is executed in accordance with the Commonwealth regime”.

Dr Rifi said the vandalism on the 17-year-old’s car was cowardly and urged against people doing any revenge attacks.

“No citizens should take circumstances into their own hands,” he said.

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Originally published as NSW Police warrant for anti-terror raids circulated, terror accused teen’s home targeted