Khaled Merhi: Sydney man arrested over alleged Islamic State plot to bring down jet says he’s a patriotic Australian
THE last man held in custody over an alleged Islamic State plot to bring down an Etihad flight is “embarrassed” to have been caught up in it and denies being involved in the alleged plans.
NSW
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THE last man held in custody over an alleged Islamic State plot to bring down an Etihad flight is “embarrassed” to have been caught up in it and denies being involved in the alleged plans, but has refused to comment on it or the men charged over it.
Spraypainter Khaled Merhi, 39, was released on Sunday night after police used special terrorism powers to hold him for seven days for questioning over the alleged plans, before charging him with possessing a prohibited weapon and releasing him to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on August 24.
The weapon is understood to be a powerful homemade Taser uncovered in the raids, however he has not been charged in relation to the alleged plot to smuggle an IED aboard an Etihad flight, or a second alleged scheme to manufacture a toxic gas called hydrogen sulphide for release on public transport.
Mr Merhi yesterday told The Daily Telegraph he was deeply patriotic and embarrassed to be associated with the raids.
“It’s just embarrassing all this shit mate,” he said. “Zilch mate, nothing, I had no idea.
“I was born here, I was born in Crown St … I bought my first car here, I played footy here, I went to school here. This is my country mate.”
Brothers Khaled Mahmoud Khayat, 49, and Mahmoud Khayat, 32, who were arrested alongside Merhi, were charged on Thursday with two counts each of acting in preparation for or planning a terrorist act, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Mr Merhi’s brother, Abdul Merhi, 50, was released without charge on Tuesday last week, just three days after the dramatic weekend raids on properties in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl, Wiley Park and Bankstown.
Mr Merhi’s lawyer said last week that it was “unfathomable” that his client should be associated with anything like this.
Khaled Merhi would not discuss the Khayat brothers or the alleged plot beyond saying it was “really bad”, nor would he comment on the homemade stun gun which he is alleged to have possessed.
He claimed to be a patriot who would defend Australia if needed.
“It’s just sad … This is my soil mate, anyone wants to come fight this soil, I’m on this side, always,” he said.
“I’d die for this country, I love this country. That’s all I got to say mate, honestly.”
THE RAID IN SURRY HILLS
Mr Merhi, who lives at the Surry Hills house, said the July 29 raids took place just minutes after he had returned home from the pub.
“Picture yourself sitting at home and then (police) coming in getting stomped, bashed, this, that. And you’ve got no idea what’s going on,” Mr Merhi claimed.
With his right arm in a sling and stitches above his right eye, Mr Merhi told The Daily Telegraph he was on his way to get pain medication.
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