Three men arrested in counter-terrorism investigation

One of two brothers charged with terrorism offences allegedly purchased a knife in preparation for an act of terror.

A man charged with terrorism offences is accused of buying a knife to prepare for an act of terror.

Aran Sherani, 19, faces charges for purchasing a knife on March 17 in readiness for a terrorist act.

Charge sheets reveal he was accused on the same date of knowingly being a member of the terror group, ISIS.

A week earlier in Preston, Sherani was accused of intentionally causing injury to someone on March 9, while on February 18 he was accused of attempting to engage in a terrorist act at Humevale.

His older brother Ari, 20, faces the same charge of attempting to engage in a terror act at Humevale on February 18.

The two brothers, from Epping, have no criminal history and have been charged over a bushfire lit in bushland on Melbourne’s northern outskirts.

The pair’s lawyers told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court they had no criminal history and their age and nature of the charges would make them “more vulnerable in custody”.

Neither man applied for bail.

Police said the 20-year-old was earlier treated in hospital for a medical episode while in custody.

The pair were arrested in raids on Wednesday morning as part of an operation involving Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO.

The Joint Counter Terrorism Team on Wednesday arrested three males after raids on properties at Epping and Pascoe Vale.

The third — a 16-year-old boy from Pascoe Vale — was released without charge.

Police allege they identified potential terrorism activity over a fire lit north of Epping on February 18 — a 32C day — and a “public” assault in Melbourne on March 10. It was unclear if it was the first suspected incident of an alleged terror plot using fire in Victoria.

The 16-year-old boy was questioned and released by police who will continue to “engage”’ with him and “divert” him from extremist activity.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Hermans said the alleged acts were perpetrated through an ideology based on religious ­extremism. He confirmed the youths were Muslim.

“It is Islamic, but let me make it very clear we target the crime, not the ideology,” Mr Hermans said.

“The circumstances of those two incidents have been investigated to determine the extent to which they may or not lead to terrorism charges.

“There’s ideology that motivates, that makes us believe it’s linked to extremist activity.

“I’m not going to go into significant details but if you link it back to what I’ve referred to in terms of a fire and an assault based with the ideology we believe has led to those two acts, that’s ultimately where you would end with a terrorism charge, or an ­attempted terrorism charge or acts in preparation of ­terrorism.’’

The Joint Counter Terrorism Team have arrested a 19-year-old Epping man. Picture: Victoria Police

AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said: “There is a violent extremist ideology that has caused us concern and as a result of that ideology we are looking at these incidents being connected to a terrorism motivation.”

Penalties for terrorism offences can attract a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Police said intelligence about an initial person of interest led detectives to the three males.

Mr Hermans said the investigation was ongoing but there was no continuing threat to the community.

The brothers will return to court on July 20.