Teenager accused of planning racist terrorist attack
A young man who was allegedly harboring racist and nationalist views was brought to court, accused of planning a terrorist attack.
The 17-year-old Canberran has been behind bars since November after police allegedly found violent and extremist material during a search.
Officers later uncovered further evidence and on Tuesday the teenager appeared in the ACT Children’s Court on charges of planning a terrorist attack and sending violent extremist material.
Australian Federal Police deputy counter-terrorism commissioner Peter Crozier said it was worrying that young Australians were being exposed to such propaganda.
“Violent extremist material is being distributed by terrorist organizations with the aim of promoting violence, hatred and division in Australian society,” he said.
“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.”
The teenager became the first person in the ACT to be charged with planning an act of terrorism.
In March, a 16-year-old teenager from Sydney’s inner west went to court claiming police searched a number of devices and found information about extremist violence.
Officers allege the boy, who had a mixed ideology, was making plans for acts of violence.
He was charged with collecting and preparing documents to facilitate a terrorist act and possessing violent, extremist material.
A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old from the New England region of NSW were arrested in April after police seized handwritten notes and publications allegedly containing extremist references.
The young ages of the defendants have called for schools, parents, social services and technology companies to take action and prevent young people from accessing extremist content.
“Recognizing early signs of changes in a young person’s behavior can play a crucial role in directing young people onto safe and supportive pathways,” said ACT Deputy Chief Constable Richard Chin.
“Strengthening awareness and trust in reliable and supportive networks is an important element in preventing radicalization and protecting young people from harmful influences.”
Police have warned that if someone withdraws from their social circle, uses hateful language, is obsessed with conspiracy theories or spends increasing amounts of time on fringe internet forums, it could be a sign they are vulnerable to radicalisation.
