Melbourne terrorist plot: Four charged, one in custody over alleged Christmas Da

[MikeWB]

Police have disrupted a terrorist plot to detonate improvised explosive devices at locations in central Melbourne, possibly on Christmas Day, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says.

Key points:

Police believe plot involved use of explosives and other weapons and could have been planned for Christmas Day
High profile locations including Federation Square and Flinders Street Station were targeted, police say
Five people arrested still in custody and are being questioned by police
Seven people were arrested during overnight raids on Thursday at properties in Flemington, Meadow Heights and Dallas in Melbourne over the alleged plot, which police said was inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group.

Abdullah Chaarani 26 of Dallas, 21-year-old Hamza Abbas of Flemington and 24-year-old Ahmed Mohamad of Meadow Heights have been charged with planning a terrorist attack.

The trio appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court and were taken into custody and will return in April.

A 22-year-old man from Broadmeadows was charged with the same offence hours later. He is due to appear in court on Saturday.

A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Meadow Heights, and 21-year-old man from Gladstone Park, were released without charge.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the plot as an "act of evil", while Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said police had seized "the makings of an improvised explosive device".

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mr Turnbull said: "Overnight our police and security agencies have disrupted a very substantial terrorist plot.

"Overnight, the Victoria Police, working with the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, have arrested seven persons, five of whom are still in custody, searched five premises and are continuing to search them.

Who was arrested?

A 24-year-old man from Meadow Heights
A 26-year-old man from Dallas
A 22-year-old man from Campbellfield
A 21-year-old man from Flemington
A 21-year-old man from Gladstone Park
A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Meadow Heights, have been released without charge
Source: Victoria Police
"What they have uncovered is a plot to explode improvised explosive devices in central Melbourne in the area of Federation Square, on or about Christmas Day.

"This is one of the most substantial terrorist plots that have been disrupted over the last several years."
The raids were part of a counter-terrorism operation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-23/police-foil-alleged-christmas-day-'terrorist-plot'-in-melbourne/8143762?pfmredir=sm