Alleged rally bomb probed as ‘potential terrorist act’
Police are investigating claims that a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally as a “potential act of terrorism”.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Forrest Place in Perth city center on Monday after police found an object designed to “explode on impact”.
Police said it was only by good luck that the device, which allegedly contained a mixture of volatile chemicals with nails and metal balls attached to its exterior, did not explode.
Police allege a 31-year-old man took the explosive from his bag and threw it into a crowd of 2,500 people from the first-floor walkway before attempting to escape.
He was charged with unlawful act or omission with intent to cause harm and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
The WA Police Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Agency confirmed they were investigating the incident as a “potential act of terrorism”.
Western Australia’s joint counter-terrorism team said in a joint statement on Wednesday night that the investigation was ongoing and new charges were not ruled out.
“There is no ongoing threat to public safety,” the bodies said.
It is a crime in Australia to plan or prepare for a terrorist act and if the act does not occur a person can still be charged with terrorism.
Since the defendants did not request bail, the case was postponed to February 17.
The court decided to keep the man’s identity secret due to concerns for his safety.
Indigenous activists had harshly criticized police and political leaders for a “double standard” in language after the Bondi Beach massacre was immediately declared a terrorist attack.
“When violence is associated with Muslims, the word ‘terrorism’ immediately appears in the headlines,” Victoria Senator Lidia Thorpe said.
“But when the First Men are targeted… the response is silence, condescension, and delay.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously described the man’s alleged actions as shocking.
“In my view they should throw the book at him,” he told reporters in Darwin.
“This was quite a shocking incident. He has been charged with two serious offenses and I look forward to his being prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Rally organizer Fabian Yarran said threats had been made against the event ahead of the incident.
“The rally had already received numerous serious threats, but due to lack of communication from the police, these were not addressed appropriately,” he said in a social media post.
“This failure put organisers, participants and the wider community at risk.”
Mr Yarran also criticized the police response when the object was discovered following a tip-off from the public.
