Sydney teenager accused of planning a terrorist attack allegedly wanted to target Jewish community members, court hears
The barrister representing the Director of Public Prosecutions said the teen discussed using knives in a group chat. (Supplied: NSW government)
One of the four Sydney teenagers accused of planning a terrorist attack allegedly wanted to target Jewish community members, a court has heard.
The 15-year-old appeared over audio-video link at the Parramatta Children’s Court on Wednesday afternoon to apply for release on bail.
He faces a charge of conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for or planning a terrorist act, after being arrested by a Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigating – what they labelled – a “network” sharing “similar violent extremist ideology”.
The court heard the 15-year-old sent messages to three other people in a group chat titled “Plans”, where the prosecution argued they were conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack.
Barrister Rebekah Rodger, who appeared on behalf of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, said the 15-year-old discussed using knives.
“I want to do it to a bunch of Jews, I want to do it so bad,” police allege the 15-year-old said to the group chat on April 20.
“Don’t youse [sic] want to do an attack? … What about Palestine? I want to attack Jews here.”
She said some of the group members were discussing allegedly procuring knives, “dirty” guns and a stash house in a separate chat around the same time.
Two hand drawn ISIS flags were found in the boy’s room, the court heard.
On bail for a separate charge, but not convicted
Defence barrister Ahmed Dib rejected that an attack was being planned by the 15-year-old, claiming no specific details were found on his phone or that a coherent plan had been alleged in the statement of facts.
“This is a young person venting something wrong, deranged … but that doesn’t go to the strength of the prosecution’s case,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be outside of the realm of possibility that a 15-year-old is trying to brag and be macho about something that he has no connection to.”
The court heard the 15-year-old is already on bail over a separate incident that took place on April 22 – four days before he was charged with terrorism-related offences.
It is alleged he was part of a group that attacked another person by throwing rocks, and that he threw a plank of wood that narrowly missed the intended victim.
Mr Dib told the court another co-accused allegedly threw away evidence and fled on foot, while the 15-year-old stopped when he heard sirens and complied with police.
It is alleged the 15-year-old had a knife on him at the time, but did not use it.
Counterterrorism team criticised by magistrate
Magistrate James Viney described parts of the police fact sheet signed by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team as “unsatisfactory”.
He said the statement of facts referred to the 15-year-old being in possession of a “large hunting knife” and “tomahawk”.
But after some enquiries during the proceeding, it was revealed the items were found in the garage alongside other gardening tools, which the father used to prune trees.
“It’s just completely unclear and unsatisfactory,” the magistrate remarked.
“It’s embarrassing for you too [Ms Rodger], the organisation that [compiled the statement of facts] don’t assist the court or you either.”
One of the conditions being considered for the 15-year-old’s release on bail is that he surrender his passport, but it’s unclear who has possession of it.
Mr Dib said the Australian Federal Police seized it after they searched the boy’s home, alleging it was captured on camera.
But the prosecutor said the AFP has not taken it – and that it will need to be surrendered if bail is granted.
Other conditions discussed include a surety of $1.5 million, an ankle bracelet, a treatment plan and banning the accused from speaking to a list of people.
Magistrate Viney adjourned the matter until Thursday but said: “The court is mindful to grant bail.”