Australia disrupts terror plot to bring down airplane after 4 arrested in Sydney: PM Malcolm Turnbull
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian authorities said Sunday they had stopped an allegedly Islamist-inspired "terrorist plot" to bring down an airplane with an improvised explosive, after four people were arrested in raids in Sydney.
"I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane," Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters.
Additional security has been put in place at all major domestic and international airports, with travellers told to arrive two hours early for screenings, he added.
Officials did not specify if the alleged plot targeted a domestic or international flight, but Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported that a local route had been the objective.
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The four men, arrested in a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday, were allegedly linked to an "Islamic-inspired" plot, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said.
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"In recent days, law enforcement has been become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an IED (improvised explosive device)," he told reporters.
BREAKING: Australia disrupts terror plot to bring down airplane, according to Prime Minister; 4 arrested in #Sydney raids pic.twitter.com/HM3qDzSX53
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) July 29, 2017
Major CT op in the suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba and WIley Park #Sydney. Many arrests linked to a terror plot. pic.twitter.com/kvibZ30VQV
— Blazing Fury (@FuryBlazing) July 29, 2017
He added that several items "of great interest to police" had been seized in the raids but police did not yet have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. He said the investigation was expected to be "very long and protracted".
"However, we're investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack."
Colvin would not provide further details, but the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said police found items that could be used to make a home-made bomb in one of the raided homes Saturday. Authorities believed they planned to smuggle the device onto a plane to blow it up, the ABC added.
Turnbull said the alleged plan appeared to be "more in that category of an elaborate plot" rather than designed by a lone wolf, but added that the national terror alert level would remain at probable.
Airport security boost
Four men were arrested Saturday after armed police stormed homes in at least four neighbourhoods, though their names and ages have not been released and they have not been charged by police.
The Seven Network reported 40 riot squad officers moved on a terraced house in the inner city suburb of Surry Hills, as TV footage showed a man with a bandage on his head being led away by authorities, draped in a blanket. Sections of surrounding roads remained cordoned off on Sunday as forensic officers and investigators wrapped up and removed items from the house.
Airline passengers have meanwhile been asked to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international routes, and to limit their baggage.
"Australia has very strong safeguards in place at its airports; these changes are about making them even stronger," Australian carrier Qantas said. Airline Virgin Australia stressed that the additional airport security measures were just "precautionary" and passengers "should not be concerned".
Turnbull said the national terror alert level, which was raised on September 2014 amid rising concerns over attacks by individuals inspired by organisations such as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, would remain at probable.
Canberra has introduced new national security laws since then, while counter-terrorism police have also made a string of arrests. A total of 12 attacks, before the latest announcement, have been prevented in the past few years, while 70 people have been charged, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.
"The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but there's still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat," he told reporters Sunday.
The prime minister added that the alleged plan appeared to be "more in that category of an elaborate plot".
Several terror attacks have taken place in Australia in recent years, including a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 that saw two hostages killed.
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