Cops filmed accused terrorists preparing Melbourne attack over Christmas, 2016
THREE men driven by extremist Islamic ideology and a hatred of the west were filmed by police preparing a terrorist attack in central Melbourne, a court has heard.
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THREE men driven by extremist Islamic ideology and a hatred of the west were filmed by police allegedly preparing a terrorist attack in central Melbourne, a court has heard.
The three accused terrorists today appeared for the first day of an anticipated 10-week Supreme Court trial charged with preparing to carry out a terrorist attack.
Prosecutor Nick Pappas QC told the court Hamza Abbas, Abdullah Chaarani and Ahmed Mohammad bought explosives and machetes in preparation for a terrorist act to be carried out over the Christmas period in 2016.
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The men were also observed purchasing items from Bunnings which the prosecution allege were to be used to make an Improvised Explosive Device.
Mr Pappas said the men were driven by a “ideological and religious objective to wage violent jihad against those they consider to be disbelievers” and that they followed an “extremist brand of Sunni Islam”.
“Australia is one of a group of western nations regarded as a an enemy of Islam,” Mr Pappas said.
On December 20, 2016, the trio along with another man were monitored from the Hume Islamic Youth Centre in Coolaroo to the CBD.
“They conducted reconnaissance of the agreed target area of Federation Square, Flinders Street and St Paul’s Cathedral,” Mr Pappas said.
Mr Pappas said the men were in the thrall of Islamic State, which in 2014 had issued a fatwah ordering followers to kill “the filthy French or an Australian or a Canadian”, especially police, emergency workers or intelligence officers.
The prosecution case against the men includes surveillance footage, as well as social media messages and Islamic state propaganda found on their phones, the court heard.
The trial, before Justice Christopher Beale, continues.