Aussie companies used as code words helped identify Sydney plane terror plot

ALLEGED would-be terrorists plotting to bring down a passenger plane with a bomb hidden in a meat grinder tried to cover their tracks by using Aussie companies as code names, alerting international authorities.

Police search for evidence at a block of flats in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba in July, 2017 after counter-terrorism raids in relation to the alleged terror plot. Picture: AFP Photo/William West

THE alleged terror cell that plotted to bring down a passenger plane with a bomb hidden in a meat grinder used Australian companies as code names, prompting international intelligence agencies to look for an Aussie link.

Last month Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed intelligence gathered by his military’s elite 8200 unit played a key role in preventing the attack on an Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi in July last year.

The Israeli tip-off was then passed through a number of other intelligence agencies co-operating on the operation.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that cell members allegedly tried to cover their tracks by using the names of Australian companies — including local automotive businesses — when plotting the attack.

Police officers looking for evidence at a block of units in Lakemba following the arrests. Picture: AFP Photo/William West

Police search premises in Lakemba after the alleged terror plot led to arrests. Picture: Toby Zerna

An intelligence source told The Sunday Telegraph the Australian link to the plot was only discovered after foreign intelligence officers looked into the unfamiliar names intercepted by the would-be terrorists.

The sloppiness helped British and US intelligence agencies discovered the Australian connection and alert local authorities.

“It was almost by chance,” the senior intelligence source told The Sunday Telegraph.

On July 26, Australian intelligence officials received the tip-off about the alleged plot, prompting police to place the suspects under surveillance.

Three days later the NSW Joint Counter-Terrorism Team (JCTT) — made up of officers from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police — raided five properties across Sydney and arrested four men.

Khaled Khayat is awaiting trial, charged with two counts of doing acts in preparation or planning for a terrorist act. Picture: Supplied

Khaled Khayat, 49, from Lakemba and Mahmoud Khayat, 32, from Punchbowl are awaiting trial, charged with two counts of doing acts in preparation or planning for a terrorist act.

Khaled Merhi, 40, was charged with an unrelated offence of possessing an unauthorised Taser and a fourth was released without charge.

National security sources believe the plot, which would have killed 400 passengers and crew was formulated inside Islamic State’s one-time capital of Raqqa.

A fourth man, Amer Khayat — a dual Australian and Lebanese citizen — is in ­custody in Lebanon where the military court could impose the death penalty.

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