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Australia raids over 'Islamic State plot to behead' Australia raids over 'Islamic State plot to behead'
(about 9 hours later)
Police have carried out anti-terror raids in Sydney sparked by intelligence reports that Islamic extremists were planning random killings in Australia. Police have carried out anti-terrorism raids in Sydney sparked by intelligence reports that Islamist extremists were planning random killings in Australia.
PM Tony Abbott said a senior Australian Islamic State militant had called for "demonstration killings", reportedly including a public beheading.PM Tony Abbott said a senior Australian Islamic State militant had called for "demonstration killings", reportedly including a public beheading.
The raids, with at least 800 heavily-armed officers, led to 15 arrests. The raids, with at least 800 heavily armed officers, led to 15 arrests.
One man has been charged with planning an attack. Prosecutors said he planned to "gruesomely" execute someone. One man has been charged with planning an attack. Prosecutors said it involved "gruesomely" killing someone.
Australian media reports said a plot involved beheading a random member of the public after draping them in an Islamic State flag. Omarjan Azari, 22, is accused of conspiring with Mohammad Ali Baryalei - believed to be the most senior Australian member of IS - and several others between May and September, according to court documents.
Asked about the reports in a press conference, Mr Abbott said: "That's the intelligence we received.'' 'Imperative danger'
"Direct exhortations were coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL (Islamic State) to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country." Australian media reports said they had discussed abducting members of the public and beheading them on camera, draped in a black IS flag.
In recent weeks, IS has released video footage showing the beheadings of two American journalists and a British aid worker seized in Syria.
Analysis: BBC's Jon Donnison in SydneyAnalysis: BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney
The news of an alleged plot to publicly behead a random Australian will shock many people here, including the vast majority of this country's long-established moderate Muslim community.The news of an alleged plot to publicly behead a random Australian will shock many people here, including the vast majority of this country's long-established moderate Muslim community.
Many Muslims are unhappy with what's going on in Iraq and Syria but would never resort to violence. These raids risk antagonising the broader Islamic community.Many Muslims are unhappy with what's going on in Iraq and Syria but would never resort to violence. These raids risk antagonising the broader Islamic community.
But Australia, like many countries including Britain, is worried about the threat from Islamic State, not just abroad but at home. More than a decade on from Australia's support for the US-led war in Iraq, the country finds itself embroiled in a conflict that is far from over.But Australia, like many countries including Britain, is worried about the threat from Islamic State, not just abroad but at home. More than a decade on from Australia's support for the US-led war in Iraq, the country finds itself embroiled in a conflict that is far from over.
Tony Abbott this week announced he is sending 600 troops to the Middle East to assist in the fight against Islamic State. Security forces clearly face a battle at home too.Tony Abbott this week announced he is sending 600 troops to the Middle East to assist in the fight against Islamic State. Security forces clearly face a battle at home too.
"So this is not just suspicion, this is intent and that's why the police and security agencies decided to act in the way they have." Asked about the reports at a news conference, Mr Abbott said: "That's the intelligence we received.''
Mr Abbott did not name the Australian concerned. But local reports say an intercepted phone call involving Mohammad Ali Baryalei, a former Sydney bouncer described as Australia's most senior IS member, and domestic IS supporters triggered the operation. "Direct exhortations were coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in [IS] to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country."
In recent weeks, IS has released video footage showing three foreign nationals seized in Syria being beheaded. Prosecutor Michael Allnutt said Mr Azari had planned to commit "extremely serious" offences that involved "an usual level of fanaticism" and were "clearly designed to shock, horrify and terrify" the public.
'Random attacks' The plot involved the "random selection of persons to rather gruesomely execute", and those involved had an "irrational determination" to carry it out even though they knew they were under surveillance, he added.
Police say the anti-terror operation was the largest in Australian history. The charge against Mr Azari stemmed from a telephone call intercepted earlier this week, which prompted police to carry out the raids.
The raids began early on Thursday, with officers executing 25 search warrants across 12 Sydney suburbs. "It's been an immediate reaction to a clear, imperative danger," Mr Allnutt said.
One of the arrested men, Omarjan Azari, 22, later appeared in a Sydney court charged with conspiracy to prepare for a terrorist attack. Mr Azari's barrister told the court that police had very little evidence to support the charge, but he did not apply for bail.
Prosecutor Michael Allnutt said Mr Azari planned to commit "extremely serious" offences "clearly designed to shock, horrify and terrify'' the public. Another of those arrested, a 24-year-old man, was charged with unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without a licence.
Other raids took place in Brisbane. Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they were not "directly linked" to the Sydney operation but related to a raid last week on an Islamic centre that led to two men being charged with terrorism offences. About 200 people from Sydney's Muslim community held a protest against the raids on Thursday night. Speakers reportedly made claims of police brutality and political hysteria.
Last week, Australia raised its terror threat level to high amid concerns of the growing number of Australians "working with, connected to or inspired by" Islamist groups. 'Young recruits'
Officials say dozens of Australians have gone to fight in the Middle East for jihadist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (also known as the al-Nusra Front). The anti-terrorism operation - the largest in Australian history - began early on Thursday, with officers executing 25 search warrants across 12 suburbs of Sydney.
At least 60 Australians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups in Syria and northern Iraq, and 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers. Other raids took place in Brisbane. Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they were not directly linked to the Sydney operation but related to a raid last week on an Islamic centre that led to two men being charged with terrorism offences.
About 100 more Australians are thought to be actively supporting these groups, police say.
Officials are worried about the impact of both returning fighters and supporters of these groups on domestic security.
Australia and foreign fighters:Australia and foreign fighters:
Phil Mercer: Australia's home-grown terror threatPhil Mercer: Australia's home-grown terror threat
It is the first time Australia's threat level has moved from medium to high - the second-highest rank - since the system was introduced in 2003. Mr Colvin said the age of Mr Azari and others under investigation were of concern, adding: "We are seeing that younger and younger men are deciding to take up arms or wanting to participate or in some way contribute to the cause."
"Medium" means an attack could occur. "High" means an attack is likely and "extreme" means an attack is imminent or has occurred. Last week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Mr Baryalei, a former Sydney bouncer and part-time actor, had recruited a "who's who" of Australian IS fighters.
Australia has also recently committed troops to the fight against Islamic State. The Australian police subsequently confirmed that a warrant had been issued for him for "alleged terrorism-related activities".
Mr Abbott, who has been spending a week in an indigenous area in northern Australia, is heading back south to see off departing troops. Officials say dozens of Australians have gone to fight for IS, which has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria, and the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel group in Syria.
Are you in Sydney or Brisbane? Did you witness the counter-terrorism operation? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Australia has recently committed troops to combat IS in Iraq.
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