Community based courses for high-risk youths aims to stop terror attack plots
VICTORIAN authorities are working with six youths who are considered at risk of violent extremism as it’s revealed Manchester bomber Salman Abedi was known to UK authorities.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- 2015: Counter terrorism Police monitoring over 200 Victorians rated as terror risks
- Community deradicalisation scheme to stop youths at risk of terrorism
- The face of hate: Suicide bomber Salman Abedi
VICTORIAN authorities are working with six youths who are considered at risk of violent extremism, it can be revealed.
While 300 Victorians are on a police terrorism watch list, it was revealed that Manchester bomber Salman Abedi, 22, was known to UK authorities.
Victoria Police has previously said many were in a high-risk category and a few were rated such an extreme risk that they may be willing to plan an attack.
About six Victorian youths are being steered away from extremism in an Australian-first $3.2 million deradicalisation program.
The community-based program is in areas of Melbourne considered to be extremist enclaves and targets those susceptible to the extremist message.
There is also a statewide program that targets right-wing extremists.
While in prison a mentoring program targets convicted terrorist and others at risk of violent extremism.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said Victoria faces challenges of men turning to violence and extremism. “Violent extremism and terrorism are not compatible with our way of life,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Scott said the government has dedicated $44 million to social cohesion strategies and its full range of initiatives reached a minimum of 1600 community members so far, including women and young people.
A separate prison mentoring program, started in 2011, was initially mandatory for all prisoners convicted of terrorism offences and mandated as part of released prisoners’ parole conditions.
It has since been expanded to be available on a voluntary basis to the entire prison population, jail sources say.
It is designed to challenge distorted views on religion and offer help to reintegrate into the community.
But that program has had failures.
Two convicted terrorists — Ezzit Raad and Amer Haddara — who are believed to have gone through the program — likely fought with the Islamic State terrorist group after their release.
Both were convicted of a plot to attack Melbourne landmarks.
It comes as the Muslim community has unequivocally condemned the Manchester attack.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Council president Rateb Jneid said the attack was a crime against innocent civilians and a transgression against all faiths and cultures.
The Islamic Council of Victoria released a statement on Wednesday and offered its support to the bombing victims.
Board of Imams Victoria spokesman Muhammad Saleem vehemently condemned the senseless attack.
“This has nothing to do with Islam and we categorically denounce any violent attack against innocent people in the name of Islam,” Sheik Saleem said.
“Anyone who is trying to break the unity among the Muslims and other communities will fail. This kind of attack will not break the resolve to live peacefully in the civilised world.”