Alleged Terror Plot Thwarted in Australia - East Idaho News
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Alleged Terror Plot Thwarted in Australia

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thinkstock 4.18.15 austrailiapolicecar?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1429372707035TkKurikawa/iStock Editorial/Thinkstock(MELBOURNE, Australia) — Five Australian teenagers were arrested Saturday on suspicion of planning a terror attack.

The five men, between the ages of 18 and 19, were arrested after 200 state and federal police officers raided seven homes in Melbourne.

The planning of the attack was described by police as being inspired by ISIS, and aimed at police officers.

“Some evidence that we have collected at a couple of the scenes, and some other information we have, leads us to believe that this particular matter was ISIS inspired,” said Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan in a news conference Saturday.

Despite admitting sharp edged knives were intended to be involved, Gaughan stopped short of the saying that beheadings were planned.

The alleged attacks were set to take place during an ANZAC Day parade, which commemorates Australian and New Zealand troops during Battle of Gallipoli from World War I.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Saturday that police have been handling similar threats for several months

“All you need these days is a knife, a flag and a camera and one can commit a terrorist attack. So it’s very different, it’s a different paradigm for us,“ he said.

Abbott urged citizens to be defiant and live free and fair normal lives after the latest plot was thwarted.

“Please don’t be deterred,” Abbot said. “Turn up in the largest possible numbers to support our country, to support our values, to support our armed forces.”


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