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Anzac Day 'terror plot': Sydney teenager charged with trying to buy gun

Australian security agencies have stopped six domestic terror attacks in the last 18 months

Matt Payton
Monday 25 April 2016 06:57 EDT
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The sixteen-year-old was denied bail in children's court
The sixteen-year-old was denied bail in children's court (AFP/Getty)

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A 16-year-old has been charged with planning a terror attack on Anzac Day after allegedly trying to obtain a gun.

New South Wales Police have increased security levels for the day of commemorations following the charges against the teenager.

He was arrested near his west Sydney home in Auburn and accused of one count of preparing for, or planning, an act of terrorism.

The teenager's case was heard in children's court, where he was denied bail.

His lawyer, Zemarai Khatiz, said outside court a bail application would be lodged, ABC reports.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "Clearly we have taken swift action to ensure community safety on the eve of a sacred day on the Australian calendar.

"Our level of security at Anzac Day is always high, we have increased it."

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said: "This is a day where we should be out, commemorating such a proud day of our history

"Where we come and commemorate those many lives that have been lost defending this nation, defending our freedoms, and that is exactly what we should be doing today"

The Australian Minster for Justice, Michael Keenan, called the case a "chilling and disturbing scenario".

Mr Keenan said Australian security agencies had stopped six domestic terror attacks in the last 18 months.

He added the government had spent $1.3 billion (£695 billion) on "police, Australian Crime Commission, intelligence committee and other agencies".

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