Alleged plot to blow up Sydney’s City2Surf revealed in court
AN alleged radicalised inmate who the government is fighting to keep behind bars allegedly made threats against several targets — including the Prime Minister and Sydney’s City2Surf race, a court has heard.
NSW
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AN alleged radicalised inmate who the government is fighting to keep behind bars allegedly made threats against several targets — including the Prime Minister and Sydney’s City2Surf race, a court has heard.
The man — who cannot be named for legal reason — is the first target of NSW anti-terror laws and the government says he poses an “unacceptable risk of committing a serious terrorism offence if not detained”.
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During a NSW Supreme Court hearing today prosecutors argued the 28-year-old should be subject to a continuing detention order for 18 months and referred to several alarming threats he allegedly made while serving time for non-terror related offences.
“I reckon the City to Surf would be a good place to blow up … Turnbull will be there,” the offender allegedly said while serving time at Goulburn jail.
The court heard he also identified Holroyd Police Station as a target.
“I swear as soon as I get out I will bomb it,” he allegedly said.
Crown prosecutor John Agius also told the court the man had claimed he was a member of ISIS and had requested to be transferred to Supermax — where terrorists serve their sentences.
The man’s lawyer Matt Johnson said some of the alleged threats were disputed and argued his client should be subjected to an extended supervision order.
This would mean his client would be released from prison but would live under very strict conditions.
“There’s a difference between an angry, frustrated person and a person who is an unacceptable risk,” he said.
Early this month The Daily Telegraph revealed how the government had sought a continuing detention order against the inmate — the first time ever in a terror case.
If the order is made, the man could be kept in prison past the expiration of his sentence.
The offender is currently serving time for stalking and intimidation and has several other matters before the courts including assaulting a police officer, two counts of intimidating a police officer and one count of threatening sabotage.
Justice Natalie Adams will decide whether the grant the orders on June 20 — the day the man is due to be released from prison.
A spokesperson for Fairfax Media, who organise the City2Surf, said: “Safety is of paramount importance at our events. We work closely with authorities in planning and operating our events to ensure they are safe for everyone participating.”