‘Invasion Day’ bomb plot declared a terrorist act
The claim that a homemade bomb was thrown into the crowd at the Occupation Day rally was declared an act of terrorism.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Forrest Place in Perth city center on January 26 after police found an object containing volatile chemicals, nails and metal balls.
Police claimed the explosive device, which did not detonate, was thrown by a 31-year-old man into a crowd of 2,500 locals, their families and supporters.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the alleged attack had now been determined to be an act of terrorism.
“We must condemn this incident in the strongest possible terms and call it what it is,” the prime minister said on Thursday.
“The WA joint counter-terrorism team, comprising WA Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO, has determined that the incident in Perth last Monday should be charged as an act of terrorism.”
The charges against the 31-year-old man, who was detained, were upgraded to the charge of committing a terrorist act.
“This charge made by the Joint Task Force alleges that the attack on Aboriginal people and other peaceful protesters was motivated by hateful, racist ideology,” he said.
“This is the first time this charge has been made in Western Australia.”
A judge in Perth ordered the man’s identity suppressed due to concerns for his safety.
The unfortunate attack shook society and the country following the Bondi attack on December 14.
“I know this incident has affected people across Australia and is deeply felt by our indigenous communities; I know there is anger, we have every right to be angry,” Mr Cook said.
“Any attack on our First Nations people is an attack on all of us and that is not what it means to be Australian, but we must allow the police to complete their investigation so that justice can take place.”
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