Canberra teen allegedly motivated by ‘nationalist, racist extremism’ hit with additional charges over alleged plan to commit terror attack
A Canberra teenager previously charged with firearms and terrorism offenses has been sentenced to additional charges; police now claim he was planning to carry out a terrorist attack due to “views consistent with nationalist and racist extremism”.
The 17-year-old became the first person in the ACT to be charged with planning an act of terrorism.
He was first arrested in November last year after police executed a search warrant and allegedly seized chemicals, gas masks, military-style clothing, an imitation firearm, extremist written material and a mobile phone from a house.
The Australian Federal Police, ACT Policing and ASIO confirmed in a statement that the teenager has since been charged with one count each of preparing or planning a terrorist act and transmitting violent extremist material.
He appeared briefly outside the ACT Children’s Court on Tuesday.
“It will be alleged that further evidence has been identified to support the accusations that he shared violent extremist material and was preparing to carry out a terrorist act against individuals he did not know, motivated by views consistent with nationalist and racist extremism,” police said in a joint statement.
AFP Deputy Counter-Terrorism Commissioner Peter Crozier said it was “worrying” that young Australians were being exposed to allegations of violent extremist material and propaganda.
“Violent extremist material is being distributed by terrorist organizations with the aim of promoting violence, hatred and division in Australian society,” Deputy Commissioner Crozier said.
“The AFP, our law enforcement and national security partners will continue to work tirelessly to keep Australians safe.
“It is our duty to defend and protect the Australian community and we will pursue anyone who seeks to undermine our democracy or social cohesion.
“We strongly emphasize the important role that parents, schools, social services and technology companies have in preventing our young people from accessing violent extremist material.”
ACT Police Service Deputy Chief Constable Richard Chin said police’s priority was to prevent access to extremist material and educate young people in Canberra.
“The priority of ACT Policing, together with Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) partners, is to ensure the safety of the ACT community,” Assistant Commissioner Chin said.
“To maximize prevention and early intervention options, we are focused on limiting the availability of violent extremist material and promoting education and awareness for those in protective roles, including parents, educators and healthcare providers in the ACT.”
Assistant Commissioner Chin said parents and teachers are often the first to notice when something “doesn’t look right.”
He said strengthening awareness and trust in “trustworthy and supportive networks” was an important element in preventing radicalization and exposure to “harmful influences.”
