Bunbury boy charged over alleged ‘Christchurch 2.0’ taunt against Sydney mosque
The parents of a teenager charged over a chilling taunt he allegedly posted on a Sydney mosque’s Instagram page are “horrified” and fully cooperating with police, WA’s top cop says.
Police came knocking at a Bunbury home — 170km south of Perth — on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the newly opened Australian Islamic House told authorities it had identified an alarming comment apparently referencing the massacre of 51 worshippers in Christchurch.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen in Bunbury charged over alleged mosque taunt.
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The comment posted on the place of worship’s Instagram account allegedly said: “I’m about to Christchurch 2.0 this joint.”
A 16-year-old boy was arrested and interviewed by WA Police before being charged with creating false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger.
Items, including electronic devices, were seized from the home on Tuesday.
The boy’s father refused to comment on the allegations when questions were put to him by 7NEWS on Wednesday.
“I haven’t (spoken to the parents) but I do know ... (they) were horrified and they have been fully cooperative with police,” WA’s Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.
Blanch said the teen is currently subject to a number of strict bail conditions, stopping him from travelling, leaving his home and from attending mosques.
It is not yet clear what links, if any, the teen has to NSW, but police do not believe anyone else is involved.
“We have spoken to the Islamic community here in WA but also our NSW colleagues are talking to their respective communities in NSW,” Blanch said.
“We’re confident he doesn’t have the means or the capability to carry out any threat like that however this is a very serious charge and we are continuing to investigate the causes and the associates he may have had online.”
If convicted, the crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.
The president of the Edmondson Park mosque, Mazhar Hadid, said leaders had no choice but to take the message seriously.
WA Premier Roger Cook said police would closely monitor online activity to ensure the Muslim community feels safe.
“You cannot hide in the dark behind a keyboard,” Cook said.
“Those who threaten peace here or anywhere else in Australia will be punished.”
The accused is set to appear in the Bunbury Children’s Court on April 4.
Originally published on 7NEWS
