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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/02/sydney-terrorism-raids-alleged-plane-plot-man-released-without-charge
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sydney terrorism raids: one of four arrested is released without charge | Sydney terrorism raids: one of four arrested is released without charge |
| (6 months later) | |
| A 50-year-old man is freed and three others remain in custody while police investigate alleged plot to bring down a plane | |
| Australian Associated Press | |
| Wed 2 Aug 2017 00.43 BST | |
| First published on Tue 1 Aug 2017 23.08 BST | |
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| One of four men arrested over an alleged terrorist plot to bring down a plane has been released without charge. | One of four men arrested over an alleged terrorist plot to bring down a plane has been released without charge. |
| Abdul Merhi, 50, was taken into custody on Saturday after intelligence authorities became aware of an alleged plan to target a flight from Sydney to the Middle East. | Abdul Merhi, 50, was taken into custody on Saturday after intelligence authorities became aware of an alleged plan to target a flight from Sydney to the Middle East. |
| His lawyer, Moustafa Kheir, said on Wednesday: “Tough few days, but he’s relieved the truth is out. I will review police action.” Mehri was released without charge about 7pm on Tuesday. | His lawyer, Moustafa Kheir, said on Wednesday: “Tough few days, but he’s relieved the truth is out. I will review police action.” Mehri was released without charge about 7pm on Tuesday. |
| Federal police have spent days searching several properties across Sydney following the arrests on Saturday afternoon. | Federal police have spent days searching several properties across Sydney following the arrests on Saturday afternoon. |
| The remaining three suspects will stay in detention under special powers which allow police to hold them for up to a week. | The remaining three suspects will stay in detention under special powers which allow police to hold them for up to a week. |
| “This investigation remains ongoing, and further information will be provided at an appropriate time,” a joint statement from the Australian federal police and New South Wales police said on Wednesday. | “This investigation remains ongoing, and further information will be provided at an appropriate time,” a joint statement from the Australian federal police and New South Wales police said on Wednesday. |
| The plot allegedly involved an improvised device and the target was a plane, with one theory suggesting the would-be terrorists planned to use a meat grinder to conceal a home-made device. | The plot allegedly involved an improvised device and the target was a plane, with one theory suggesting the would-be terrorists planned to use a meat grinder to conceal a home-made device. |
| Etihad Airways on Tuesday confirmed it was helping Australian authorities with the investigation amid reports the arrests were made after a tip-off from foreign intelligence services.News agency Reuters cited a US official as saying the plot was “fairly well along”. | |
| Police have until Sunday to charge the men before they have to be released, however, it’s understood detectives might be able to apply for further detention provisions. | |
| Australian security and counter-terrorism | |
| Sydney | |
| news | |
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