This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/jun/06/melbourne-siege-police-investigate-gunman-yacqub-khayres-terrorism-links-live

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Melbourne siege: Turnbull says gunman Yacqub Khayre should not have been on parole – live Melbourne siege: Turnbull says gunman Yacqub Khayre should not have been on parole – live
(35 minutes later)
1.48am BST
01:48
A Victorian supreme court sentencing from 2011 linked the Holsworthy army barracks terror plot to al Shabaab, a Somali jihadist group that has pledged support to al-Qaida.
Khayre was acquitted of that plot, and was not sentenced. But the sentencing remarks refer to a trip he took to Somalia. Prosecutors alleged he did so for the purposes of obtaining a fatwa from Muslim clerics.
“The activity undertaken by Khayre , of leaving Melbourne, going to Somalia, the Crown allege, that he was in fact going there to seek a fatwa,” justice Betty King said.
“He was to seek it personally, by his presence in Somalia. The jury found that Khayre was not guilty, in respect of this offence, and accordingly I will not act upon the basis that he was any part of the conspiracy, or that his actions formed any part of the conspiracy,” she said.
1.18am BST
01:18
The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, has just issued a statement condemning the attack.
“We have been suddenly and viciously reminded that Australians are not immune from terrorist attacks, both at home and abroad,” he said. “On behalf of the federal opposition, I offer my condolences to the family of the innocent man murdered yesterday.”
Shorten praised the police response and wished the injured officers a speedy recovery. He said Australia needed to heed any lessons from the attack, raising the issue of tougher bail laws. Khayre was on parole, not bail.
Updated
at 1.27am BST
1.09am BST1.09am BST
01:0901:09
The former prime minister Tony Abbott has been on 2GB radio this morning discussing counter-terrorism strategies. He has advocated for further efforts to destroy the Islamic State caliphate. The former prime minister Tony Abbott has been on 2GB radio this morning discussing counter-terrorism strategies. He has called for further efforts to destroy the Islamic State caliphate.
“The first step is to redouble our efforts to crush the so-called caliphate in the Middle East,” Abbott said.“The first step is to redouble our efforts to crush the so-called caliphate in the Middle East,” Abbott said.
“The second step is to redouble our efforts to ensure no returning jihadists are loose on our streets and the third step is to take much more vigorous measures to close down these centres of hate preaching.”“The second step is to redouble our efforts to ensure no returning jihadists are loose on our streets and the third step is to take much more vigorous measures to close down these centres of hate preaching.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.11am BST at 1.27am BST
12.53am BST12.53am BST
00:5300:53
These are images of the gunman Yacqub Khayre. He is pictured here in 2010, leaving court in Melbourne.These are images of the gunman Yacqub Khayre. He is pictured here in 2010, leaving court in Melbourne.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.59am BSTat 12.59am BST
12.48am BST12.48am BST
00:4800:48
The press conference has now ended. In one of the final questions, the prime minister is asked to provide a clear and concise definition of terrorism, as opposed to an “act of violence”.The press conference has now ended. In one of the final questions, the prime minister is asked to provide a clear and concise definition of terrorism, as opposed to an “act of violence”.
He responds:He responds:
“An act of terrorism is politically – in a nutshell, is politically motivated violence. But, in this case, the offender made it – stated that he was doing this on behalf of Isil and al-Qaida.” An act of terrorism is politically – in a nutshell, is politically motivated violence. But, in this case, the offender made it – stated that he was doing this on behalf of Isil and al-Qaida.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.51am BST at 1.26am BST
12.44am BST12.44am BST
00:4400:44
Turnbull said the terror threat level, currently at “probable”, was under constant review but had not changed. Malcolm Turnbull said the terrorism threat level, currently at “probable”, was under constant review but had not changed.
“The threat level is under constant review and it is not changed. The advice that we have from the Victoria Police, and that is confirmed by the commissioner... this act, this terrorist attack, the understanding it is not part of a coordinated attack, there were not others involved,” Turnbull said. “The advice that we have from the Victoria police, and that is confirmed by the commissioner … this act, this terrorist attack, the understanding it is not part of a coordinated attack, there were not others involved,” Turnbull said.
Phelan adds that to raise it to the next level, “very specific intelligence” of a planned attack was needed. Michael Phelan said that to raise it to the next level, “very specific intelligence” of a planned attack was needed.
“We do not have that intelligence. At the moment, there is no suggestion this matter will expand further,” Phelan said. “We do not have that intelligence,” he said. “At the moment, there is no suggestion this matter will expand further.
“Having said that, we must be careful. There are search warrants at the person’s residence. The crime scene is secured. We have the electronic data of the person in interest.”“Having said that, we must be careful. There are search warrants at the person’s residence. The crime scene is secured. We have the electronic data of the person in interest.”
Updated
at 1.25am BST
12.38am BST12.38am BST
00:3800:38
Phelan said joint counter-terrorism taskforces around the country were currently engaged in 70 operations across Australia. He said 200 individuals were currently being looked at closely, in addition to an “outer ring” who have come to the attention of authorities. Phelan said joint counter-terrorism taskforces around the country were now engaged in 70 operations across Australia. He said 200 individuals were being looked at closely, in addition to an “outer ring” who had come to the attention of authorities.
“We are constantly putting people under review, depending on the intelligence that comes through, ongoing investigations,” he said.“We are constantly putting people under review, depending on the intelligence that comes through, ongoing investigations,” he said.
“It is not a stagnant process that does not move -- people move in and out of the rings.” “It is not a stagnant process that does not move – people move in and out of the rings.”
Updated
at 1.24am BST
12.35am BST12.35am BST
00:3500:35
The Australian federal police acting commissioner, Michael Phelan, said the attack underlined the very real terror threat in Australia. He said that, since the terror threat level was raised to probable in 2014, authorities had disrupted 12 planned attacks. There had been five counter-terrorism incidents since that time, Phelan said. The Australian federal police acting commissioner, Michael Phelan, said the attack underlined the very real terrorist threat in Australia. He said that, since the terrorism threat level was raised to probable in 2014, authorities had disrupted 12 planned attacks. There had been five counter-terrorism incidents since that time, Phelan said.
“The events of yesterday do demonstrate the threat of terror is real in this country,” he said.“The events of yesterday do demonstrate the threat of terror is real in this country,” he said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.38am BST at 1.24am BST
12.32am BST12.32am BST
00:3200:32
Turnbull said problems with parole must be addressed as a matter of high priority. The prime minster said he will raise the issue with premiers and chief ministers at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting.Turnbull said problems with parole must be addressed as a matter of high priority. The prime minster said he will raise the issue with premiers and chief ministers at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting.
“There have been too many cases of people on parole committing violent offences of this kind,” Turnbull said.“There have been too many cases of people on parole committing violent offences of this kind,” Turnbull said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.38am BSTat 12.38am BST
12.27am BST12.27am BST
00:2700:27
Turnbull said there were “very grave” questions that must be answered after the attack. He questioned why Khayre was released on parole, given his extensive criminal history and links with terror. Turnbull said there were “very grave” questions that must be answered after the attack. He questioned why Khayre had been released on parole, given his extensive criminal history and links with terrorism.
“I have raised these today with the Victorian premier, whom I called last night and I called again this morning,” Turnbull said.“I have raised these today with the Victorian premier, whom I called last night and I called again this morning,” Turnbull said.
“How was this man on parole? He had a long record of violence. A very long record of violence. He had been charged with a terrorist offence some years ago and had been acquitted.“How was this man on parole? He had a long record of violence. A very long record of violence. He had been charged with a terrorist offence some years ago and had been acquitted.
“He was known to have connections, at least in the past, with violent extremism. But he was a known violent offender, how was he on parole?”“He was known to have connections, at least in the past, with violent extremism. But he was a known violent offender, how was he on parole?”
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.30am BST at 1.24am BST
12.24am BST12.24am BST
00:2400:24
Turnbull condemns attack as 'a shocking, cowardly crime'Turnbull condemns attack as 'a shocking, cowardly crime'
The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is speaking to the media about the attack now. He has described the attack as shocking and cowardly.The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is speaking to the media about the attack now. He has described the attack as shocking and cowardly.
“It is a terrorist attack and it underlines the need for us to be constantly vigilant, never to be deterred, always defiant, in the face of Islamist terrorism,” Turnbull said.“It is a terrorist attack and it underlines the need for us to be constantly vigilant, never to be deterred, always defiant, in the face of Islamist terrorism,” Turnbull said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.29am BSTat 12.29am BST
12.21am BST12.21am BST
00:2100:21
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Last night the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, was quick to respond to the Brighton incident, labelling the gunman a terrorist and calling for police to be empowered to “turn terror watch lists into TERROR STOP LISTS”.Last night the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, was quick to respond to the Brighton incident, labelling the gunman a terrorist and calling for police to be empowered to “turn terror watch lists into TERROR STOP LISTS”.
Seems the #Brighton terrorist was known to police. We must empower the police & turn terror watch lists into TERROR STOP LISTS! -PH #auspolSeems the #Brighton terrorist was known to police. We must empower the police & turn terror watch lists into TERROR STOP LISTS! -PH #auspol
Later, she retweeted the Herald Sun’s front page identifying the gunman as Yacqub Khayre:Later, she retweeted the Herald Sun’s front page identifying the gunman as Yacqub Khayre:
Exclusive: The #brighton gunman was Yacqub Khayre, once accused of taking part in an Islamic terror plot to attack an Australian army base pic.twitter.com/EFfxdVEoS9Exclusive: The #brighton gunman was Yacqub Khayre, once accused of taking part in an Islamic terror plot to attack an Australian army base pic.twitter.com/EFfxdVEoS9
Hanson has been highly active on social media using the Manchester attacks to push her policies. As my colleague Gabrielle Chan reported, Hanson used a London police message – designed to keep residents safe as the attacks were unfolding – to create a meme to end Islamic immigration in Australia.Hanson has been highly active on social media using the Manchester attacks to push her policies. As my colleague Gabrielle Chan reported, Hanson used a London police message – designed to keep residents safe as the attacks were unfolding – to create a meme to end Islamic immigration in Australia.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.24am BSTat 12.24am BST
12.17am BST12.17am BST
00:1700:17
Barnaby Joyce urges Australians to take attack 'in our stride'Barnaby Joyce urges Australians to take attack 'in our stride'
Paul KarpPaul Karp
The deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has called on Australians to “make sure we take this in our stride” in relation to the Melbourne attack.The deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has called on Australians to “make sure we take this in our stride” in relation to the Melbourne attack.
“As hard as it is to say that, [we should] continue on with the people who we are ... who love the freedom that we have and whose greatest protection is our own observations and intelligence on issues that are happening around us.” “As hard as it is to say that, [we should] continue on with the people who we are … who love the freedom that we have and whose greatest protection is our own observations and intelligence on issues that are happening around us.”
Asked about the attacker being known to police, Joyce said the issue would be investigated to determine “why this person was in the position he was” including “why he had the freedom of access that he had”.Asked about the attacker being known to police, Joyce said the issue would be investigated to determine “why this person was in the position he was” including “why he had the freedom of access that he had”.
Joyce said it would be “impossible” to “lock up every suspect in the nation” so the justice system had to determine “who is the greatest risk and who is the lesser risk.Joyce said it would be “impossible” to “lock up every suspect in the nation” so the justice system had to determine “who is the greatest risk and who is the lesser risk.
“If we have to further investigate that, we will.”“If we have to further investigate that, we will.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.23am BST at 1.22am BST