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Sydney terror suspect 'tried to join Australian army' | Sydney terror suspect 'tried to join Australian army' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
One of two men charged with planning a terror act in Sydney once tried to join the Australian army, his family says. | One of two men charged with planning a terror act in Sydney once tried to join the Australian army, his family says. |
Omar Al-Kutobi wanted to become a soldier out of love for the country but his application was rejected two years ago, his father Ahmad says. | Omar Al-Kutobi wanted to become a soldier out of love for the country but his application was rejected two years ago, his father Ahmad says. |
Mr Kutobi, 24, and Mohammad Kiad, 25, were arrested by police in Sydney's suburb of Fairfield on Tuesday. | Mr Kutobi, 24, and Mohammad Kiad, 25, were arrested by police in Sydney's suburb of Fairfield on Tuesday. |
Police allege they were about to kill or harm a member of the public with a knife when they were detained. | Police allege they were about to kill or harm a member of the public with a knife when they were detained. |
The pair will remain in custody after their lawyer told a Sydney court they would apply for bail in March. | The pair will remain in custody after their lawyer told a Sydney court they would apply for bail in March. |
Police say a hunting knife, an Islamic State (IS) flag and the video were seized. | Police say a hunting knife, an Islamic State (IS) flag and the video were seized. |
'The best country' | 'The best country' |
Ahmad Kutobi said his son had applied to join the army in 2013 but at that time he was only a permanent resident. He was granted citizenship several months later. | Ahmad Kutobi said his son had applied to join the army in 2013 but at that time he was only a permanent resident. He was granted citizenship several months later. |
The Iraqi-born man first came to Australia as a refugee in 2009. | The Iraqi-born man first came to Australia as a refugee in 2009. |
"He told me life in Australia is so hard," the father, who now lives in Germany, was quoted as saying by Australia's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. | "He told me life in Australia is so hard," the father, who now lives in Germany, was quoted as saying by Australia's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. |
"I told him: 'You don't remember when you said Australia is the best country in the world?'" | "I told him: 'You don't remember when you said Australia is the best country in the world?'" |
His son reportedly replied: "Yes, but it is changing." | His son reportedly replied: "Yes, but it is changing." |
After the two suspects' arrest, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said they had made a video saying they would stab kidneys and strike at necks. | After the two suspects' arrest, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said they had made a video saying they would stab kidneys and strike at necks. |
Mr Abbott said the tape showed one of the suspects promising to "carry out the first operation for the soldiers of the [IS] caliphate in Australia". | Mr Abbott said the tape showed one of the suspects promising to "carry out the first operation for the soldiers of the [IS] caliphate in Australia". |
The pair, who were not previously known to police, are charged with undertaking acts in preparation for planning for a terrorist act. Police said their operation had come after a tip-off. | The pair, who were not previously known to police, are charged with undertaking acts in preparation for planning for a terrorist act. Police said their operation had come after a tip-off. |
Mr Abbott also said tougher security around people applying for residency was needed, adding that similar issues had come to light with Man Haron Monis, the man who took hostages at a cafe in Sydney in December. | Mr Abbott also said tougher security around people applying for residency was needed, adding that similar issues had come to light with Man Haron Monis, the man who took hostages at a cafe in Sydney in December. |
The cafe siege left two hostages and Monis - a religious radical who had come to Australia as a refugee - dead but no direct links with Islamist militants have been identified. | The cafe siege left two hostages and Monis - a religious radical who had come to Australia as a refugee - dead but no direct links with Islamist militants have been identified. |
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