Sydney counter-terrorism raids: Pair charged over alleged jet terror plot

COUNTER-terrorism police have charged two Sydney men — Khaled Mahmoud Khayat, 49, (pictured) and Mahmoud Khayat, 32 — who were allegedly plotting to bring down a passenger jet.

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COUNTER-terrorism police have charged two Sydney men who were allegedly plotting to bring down a passenger jet.

Lakemba man Khaled Mahmoud Khayat, 49, and Mahmoud Khayat, 32, from Punchbowl, have been tonight been charged with two counts each of acts done in preparation for or planning a terrorist act.

The offence has a maximum penalty of life behind bars.

Police yesterday towed away two cars outside a Surry Hills home. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

The towing of the cars came as one of the four men was released without charge. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Police alleged the two men were plotting to bring down a plane. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

It follows a string of raids at Surry Hills, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Lakemba late last week by Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force counter-terror operatives, which saw four men arrested.

“On Saturday, 29 July, four men were arrested in relation to allegations regarding a potential terrorist attack,” the NSW Police Force said in a statement.

“The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has charged two men in Sydney this evening with terrorism offences.

“A 50-year-old man was released from police custody on Tuesday, 1 August, without charge.”

Another man remains in police custody under “specific time” provisions outlined in Section 23DD of the Crimes Act 1914.

Police said the “legislation recognises that terrorism investigations are inherently complex and that there can be legitimate reasons for extended periods of detention for suspects in such matters”.

After arresting the men on Saturday night, police were granted the power to hold them for up to week.

Police at a Surry Hills home that was also raided last week.

Khaled Khayat was arrested on Saturday. He has now been charged. Picture: Supplied

The two charged men will face Parramatta Court tomorrow morning.

“The evidence gathered is very strong,” NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said earlier today.

“I think in the coming days, as this matter progresses, in my opinion people will be charged.

“[When] the facts are tendered, you will understand about the police operation more holistically.”

Police remain at the various locations across Sydney and were today still sifting through items.

Yesterday, two cars were towed from the raided street in Surry Hills.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says the evidence against terror suspects is “very strong”.

“NSW police have some of the strongest state terrorism powers and when you put that with the Commonwealth powers it means that when we go to protect the community, it gives us an opportunity to make sure we gather all the necessary evidence,” Mr Fuller said.

“I support the operation. New South Wales Police did a fantastic job in this.

“We mobilised quickly and from my perspective we stopped what could have been a terrible crime.”

A fourth man, 50-year-old Abdul Merhi, was arrested on Saturday but released without charge on Tuesday evening.

Mr Merhi’s solicitor, Moustafa Kheir, wants to review “what basis police had to do what they did”.

“It’s a very serious allegation to have against you,” Mr Kheir said.

“It’s just unfathomable that he would be associated­ with anything like this.”

He said Mr Merhi’s family was also in shock and that his life had been “turned upside down”. “He just wants to go back to as normal life as possible now,” Mr Kheir said, adding he would be reviewing the actions of police.

Mr Fuller said “reviewing police action was fine”.

However, he said he had the “challenge of protecting the people of NSW. I’ve been given strong powers, strong legislation, I’ll use those”.

Police have urged members of the community to report any suspicious activity to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. You can remain anonymous.

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