Tamim Khaja: Police claim terror accused wanted automatic weapon to cause ‘mass casualties’ in planned attack
TAMIM Khaja wanted an automatic weapon and had looked at Parramatta court precinct and the ADF base at Garden Island as possible attack targets, a court heard.
NSW
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TERROR accused Tamim Khaja wanted an automatic weapon to cause “mass casualties” and had scouted Parramatta court precinct and the Australian Defence Force naval base at Garden Island as possible attack targets, police will allege.
Khaja, 18, did not appear in Parramatta Local Court yesterday and Magistrate George Still formally refused bail, although his solicitor did not apply on his behalf. No plea was entered.
The Macquarie Park teen, who was arrested by counter-terrorism officers at Parramatta Stadium on Tuesday after allegedly organising a meeting to source an automatic weapon, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a police interview, it is understood.
He was arrested after allegedly going to meet a contact who would help him source an automatic weapon with the intent of causing “mass casualties”, a police source told The Daily Telegraph.
It is understood the contact was also to help him scout out “ideal” locations where he could inflict “serious injury”.
Khaja, a former Epping Boys High School student, is charged with planning a terrorism attack and preparing for foreign incursions, after being blocked from travelling to Syria in February.
The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed that Khaja had allegedly tried to buy a suicide vest online and was looking at different methods of attack.
It is understood authorities were warned about Khaja via the national terror hotline. He was then stopped at Sydney Airport in February trying to travel to Syria and his passport was cancelled.
He will appear in Parramatta Local Court on June 8.
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