Alleged teenage terror plotter held for days in secret locations

One of the teenage boys charged with plotting a terror attack had to be held in “undisclosed locations” for days as police claim their actions thwarted a potential tragedy on Sydney’s streets.

One of the teenage boys charged with plotting a terror attack had to be held in “undisclosed locations” for days as police claim their actions thwarted a potential tragedy on Sydney’s streets.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named, was arrested in sweeping raids on Wednesday and questioned for two days, with his family unaware of his whereabouts because of the serious nature in which police treated the case.

The boy is alleged to have been planning a terror attack with his mates by communicating on the app Signal before police swarmed on properties across western Sydney this week.

He will remain in custody until at least Wednesday after his lawyer Ahmed Dib appeared on his behalf at Parramatta Children’s Court on Saturday.

His case was briefly mentioned before it was adjourned, with the young boy not needed to be beamed into court on an audio visual link.

Outside court, his lawyer Mr Dib and a supporter declined to comment about the boy’s case.

The teen will make an application for bail next week. It is expected police will attempt to lodge a stay against it, forcing him to take his attempt at release to the Supreme Court.

He is one of six minors arrested this week who are believed to be linked to another boy who committed the state’s first terror attack in seven years.

The operation involved 400 officers from the AFP and NSW Police taking to the streets after what they said was intelligence suggesting a terror attack was being planned.

That teen is accused of stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at Wakeley service last Monday night, sparking violent riots in the aftermath.

Scores of other men have been charged for their clash with police.

The teenage boy who fronted court on Saturday has been charged with conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.

The Wakeley stabbing’s declaration as a terror-related incident sparked increased police powers, including those related to stop and search.

The arrest of the boys led to calls from Islamic leaders to review the police’s actions leading up to the raids.

“The recent raids resulting in the arrest of seven minors, coupled with advance media notifications, underscore a concerning pattern of questionable law enforce-ment tactics,” the Australian National Imams Councils said in a statement on Friday.

“Despite reports to the contrary, there was no consultation with the community prior to these operations.

“The lack of evidence pointing to a concrete threat or plan among these youths, as noted by senior police officials, calls into question both the necessity and the manner of these operations.

“This lack of transparency exacerbates the distress within our community.”

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