A 20-year-old man from Perth, Australia, has been arrested after planning ‘mass casualty’ terror attacks in political buildings and mosques.
Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, from the town of Bindoon north of Perth, was caught by Western Australia’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team after they investigated his online activities.
‘Most concerningly, there was a notebook that outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations including the WA police headquarters constructing, parliament house, and places of Muslim faith,’ police commissioner Col Blanch said.
WA’s Premier, Roger Cook, said at a press conference that the suspect was motivated by white supremacist ideology online.
After executing a search warrant at his home, police found firearms, imitation firearms, ballistic vests, gas masks and lock-picking equipment.
Blanch added that the person lived together with his parents around an hour north of Perth and said he was ‘radicalised online’.
Michaels has been charged with: acting in preparation for a terrorist act, using a carriage service to menace or harass, possessing a prohibited weapon and two firearms offences.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘Allegations the person was planning to focus on the Muslim community through attacks on mosques — in addition to attacks on the WA police and parliament — are particularly distressing.
‘There is no such thing as a place in our country for any form of racially or religiously-motivated prejudice or hate. As I’ve said persistently, we’d like to take the temperature down.
‘Political leaders have a specific responsibility to not fire up bigotry.’
Police seize notebook and ‘manifesto’ document
AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch told ABC News that Michaels’ arrest is the primary time someone has been charged with planning a terror attack in Western Australia.
When police searched Michaels’ home, Hatch said: ‘It’s alleged the person had written a manifesto-style document outlining plans for an ideologically motivated attack of violent extremism involving mass casualties.
He added: ‘Most concerningly, there was a notebook outlining plans for a terrorist attack at significant locations.’
Got a story? Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you possibly can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the newest news updates. You’ll be able to now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Enroll for our day by day push alerts here.
MORE: Australia backs Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be faraway from the royal line of succession
MORE: ‘Hero’ PC who took on London Bridge terrorists sacked for traveller slur
MORE: Olympics presenter apologises for drinking after slurring through report