This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29267748
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Australia boosts parliament security amid attack 'chatter' | Australia boosts parliament security amid attack 'chatter' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Security is being upgraded at the Australian parliament following "chatter" suggesting extremists could target it for attack. | Security is being upgraded at the Australian parliament following "chatter" suggesting extremists could target it for attack. |
PM Tony Abbot said Australian Federal Police would assume responsibility for security at the site in Canberra. | PM Tony Abbot said Australian Federal Police would assume responsibility for security at the site in Canberra. |
The move came a day after major anti-terrorism raids took place in Sydney. | The move came a day after major anti-terrorism raids took place in Sydney. |
They were aimed at thwarting an alleged plan by Islamic State (IS) supporters to carry out killings in Australia, including an on-camera beheading. | They were aimed at thwarting an alleged plan by Islamic State (IS) supporters to carry out killings in Australia, including an on-camera beheading. |
In recent weeks, IS - a militant Islamist movement which has seized vast areas of Iraq and Syria - has released video footage showing the beheadings of two American journalists and a British aid worker seized. | In recent weeks, IS - a militant Islamist movement which has seized vast areas of Iraq and Syria - has released video footage showing the beheadings of two American journalists and a British aid worker seized. |
'Unusual level of fanaticism' | |
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Abbott said parliament had been identified as a potential target. | Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Abbott said parliament had been identified as a potential target. |
"There certainly has been chatter amongst the terrorist support networks of an attack on government and government people, and Parliament House has been specifically mentioned," he said. | "There certainly has been chatter amongst the terrorist support networks of an attack on government and government people, and Parliament House has been specifically mentioned," he said. |
As a result, an urgent security review had taken place. | As a result, an urgent security review had taken place. |
"Subsequently we are placing the Australian Federal Police in charge of security, not just outside the building but inside the building as well," he said. | "Subsequently we are placing the Australian Federal Police in charge of security, not just outside the building but inside the building as well," he said. |
Security has until now been handled by an in-house security team. | Security has until now been handled by an in-house security team. |
Asked about Thursday's raids, Mr Abbott said that security officials had acted quickly to disrupt the alleged terror network "because we believed that a demonstration execution was likely quickly". | Asked about Thursday's raids, Mr Abbott said that security officials had acted quickly to disrupt the alleged terror network "because we believed that a demonstration execution was likely quickly". |
More than 800 officers took part in the operation, which resulted in 15 arrests. | More than 800 officers took part in the operation, which resulted in 15 arrests. |
Australia media reports say the operation was triggered by an intercepted telephone call between the most senior Australian member of IS and domestic sympathisers in which he told them to carry out a series of random beheadings. | Australia media reports say the operation was triggered by an intercepted telephone call between the most senior Australian member of IS and domestic sympathisers in which he told them to carry out a series of random beheadings. |
Two men have since been charged. One of them, 22-year-old Omarjan Azari, has been charged with conspiracy to commit acts in preparation of a terrorist act and financing terrorism, the AFP said in a statement. | Two men have since been charged. One of them, 22-year-old Omarjan Azari, has been charged with conspiracy to commit acts in preparation of a terrorist act and financing terrorism, the AFP said in a statement. |
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. | 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. |
A 24-year-old man was charged with unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without a licence. | A 24-year-old man was charged with unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without a licence. |
Australia and foreign fighters: | Australia and foreign fighters: |
Phil Mercer: Australia's home-grown terror threat | Phil Mercer: Australia's home-grown terror threat |
Who are Australia's radicalised Muslims? | Who are Australia's radicalised Muslims? |
Australia last week raised its terror threat level from medium to high - the second highest rank - amid mounting concern over the impact of Australians fighting with Islamic militant groups in the Middle East on domestic security. | Australia last week raised its terror threat level from medium to high - the second highest rank - amid mounting concern over the impact of Australians fighting with Islamic militant groups in the Middle East on domestic security. |
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. | 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. |
Australia has recently committed troops to combat IS in Iraq. | Australia has recently committed troops to combat IS in Iraq. |