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More Sydney terror plot charges More Sydney terror plot charges
(about 3 hours later)
Three more men have been charged in Australia with plotting a suicide attack on an army base, police say.Three more men have been charged in Australia with plotting a suicide attack on an army base, police say.
They were charged over the alleged plan to storm Sydney's Holsworthy base - the same offence with which another suspect had been charged earlier.They were charged over the alleged plan to storm Sydney's Holsworthy base - the same offence with which another suspect had been charged earlier.
The four men were arrested in massive police raids in Melbourne on Tuesday.The four men were arrested in massive police raids in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The suspects are Australian nationals of Somali and Lebanese descent. Officials believe they are linked to the Somali-based al-Shabab group.The suspects are Australian nationals of Somali and Lebanese descent. Officials believe they are linked to the Somali-based al-Shabab group.
The three men were charged with "conspiring to commit an act in preparation or planning a terrorist act," a Victoria police statement said.The three men were charged with "conspiring to commit an act in preparation or planning a terrorist act," a Victoria police statement said.
The move comes a day after the fourth suspect, 25-year-old Nayaf El Sayed, was charged with the same offence.The move comes a day after the fourth suspect, 25-year-old Nayaf El Sayed, was charged with the same offence.
He did not enter a plea or apply for bail, and refused to stand for the magistrate in court.He did not enter a plea or apply for bail, and refused to stand for the magistrate in court.
A fifth man is expected to be charged later on Wednesday.A fifth man is expected to be charged later on Wednesday.
'Seeking fatwa''Seeking fatwa'
Earlier, a Victoria police statement said that "police believe members of a Melbourne-based group have been undertaking planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia and [are] allegedly involved in hostilities in Somalia".Earlier, a Victoria police statement said that "police believe members of a Melbourne-based group have been undertaking planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia and [are] allegedly involved in hostilities in Somalia".
ANALYSIS Nick BryantBBC News, Sydney
Commonly, Bali is referred to as "Australia's September 11", but that may have more to do with the journalistic desire for a neat and simple headline rather than an accurate statement of fact.
John Howard used the domestic threat of terrorism to justify his government's support for the Bush administration, and the presence of Australian diggers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Some will doubtless argue that his comments were borne out by the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta in September 2004. Others would contend that his unrelenting support for the Bush administration made Australia more of a target. Read more
"The men's intention was to actually go into the army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," said Tony Negus, acting chief commissioner of the Australian Federal Police."The men's intention was to actually go into the army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," said Tony Negus, acting chief commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.
Meeting Somalia's al-Shabab
Holsworthy Barracks on the outskirts of Sydney was one of the planned targets, according to police.Holsworthy Barracks on the outskirts of Sydney was one of the planned targets, according to police.
The attack would have been the most serious terrorist attack on Australian soil, Mr Negus added.The attack would have been the most serious terrorist attack on Australian soil, Mr Negus added.
"Members of the group have been actively seeking a fatwa or religious ruling to justify a terror attack on Australia," he said."Members of the group have been actively seeking a fatwa or religious ruling to justify a terror attack on Australia," he said.
Prosecutors told the court they had evidence some of the men had taken part in training and fighting in Somalia.Prosecutors told the court they had evidence some of the men had taken part in training and fighting in Somalia.
They also said there were phone conversations, text messages and surveillance footage, including footage of one of the suspects outside the Holsworthy army base, linking the suspects to an alleged attack.They also said there were phone conversations, text messages and surveillance footage, including footage of one of the suspects outside the Holsworthy army base, linking the suspects to an alleged attack.
The court heard the men planned to seek a fatwa to support an attack on the Holsworthy army base.The court heard the men planned to seek a fatwa to support an attack on the Holsworthy army base.
Meeting Somalia's al-Shabab
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "The sobering element of today's development is the reminder to all Australians that the threat of terrorism is alive and well, and this requires continued vigilance on the part of our security authorities."Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "The sobering element of today's development is the reminder to all Australians that the threat of terrorism is alive and well, and this requires continued vigilance on the part of our security authorities."
The country's security level is unchanged at medium, where it has been since 2003.The country's security level is unchanged at medium, where it has been since 2003.
The police said the raids followed a seven-month operation involving several state and federal agencies.The police said the raids followed a seven-month operation involving several state and federal agencies.
Police believe those arrested are linked to the Somali-based al-Shabab group, which seeks to overthrow the weak UN-backed Somali government and is believed to have links to al-Qaeda.Police believe those arrested are linked to the Somali-based al-Shabab group, which seeks to overthrow the weak UN-backed Somali government and is believed to have links to al-Qaeda.