Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sydney man charged with terrorism after 'Isis inspired attack' in park

Ihsas Khan has been charged with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder following the attack on Wayne Greenhalgh

Caroline Mortimer
Sunday 11 September 2016 15:32 EDT
Comments
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said they believe terrorism was the motive for the attack as the suspect and his victim did not know each other
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said they believe terrorism was the motive for the attack as the suspect and his victim did not know each other (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An Australian man has been charged with terrorism offences after allegedly stabbing a man in a Sydney park in what police say was an Isis inspired attack.

Ihsas Khan has been charged with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder after allegedly stabbing Wayne Greenhalgh repeatedly as he walked through a park in the suburban Minto district of the city on Saturday afternoon.

The 59-year-old remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Khan also attempted to stab a police officer before he was arrested, police said.

The 22-year-old appeared at Parramatta Bail Court where he was refused bail.

He did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until Wednesday. He faces life behind bars if convicted.

New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn said Khan and Mr Greenhalgh did not know each and said the attack was deliberate.

She said: "This was clearly a very volatile, a very violent situation that police and the members of the community were confronted with.

"We know that this person has strong religious beliefs inspired by Isis. What made him act yesterday we don't know.

"This is the new face of terrorism. This is the new face of what we deal with".

She said Khan had shouted some words at the scene that made them suspect he was connected to the terror group.

Mr Greenhalgh’s wife Bronwyn, who witnessed the attack, said her husband had suffered a punctured lung and lost several fingers.

She told Australian news channel Ten Network: "He just came toward him and got a machete out of his backpack and started going at Wayne".

Commenting on the case, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull noted that the attack occurred the day before the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

He told reporters: "Connecting them both is a violent Islamist ideology".

It came after an 18-year-old was arrested outside the Sydney Opera House after allegedly telling security guards Isis had told him to carry out an attack there.

Counter-terrorism investigators charged the teenager with threatening to destroy property. Police said he was was carrying two canisters of automotive fluid.

Additional reporting by AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in