Perth man, 22, charged with allegedly planning terrorist attack after seeking explosives and military training advice
Police allege the 22-year-old sought advice on explosives, weapons and combat techniques as he prepared for a terrorist attack.
A man could spend life behind bars after allegedly seeking out information on military training and explosive devices in preparation for a terrorist attack.
Police on Friday upgraded charges against a 22-year-old man from Perth, who has been before the courts since December.
The man was initially charged with terror-related offences after counter terrorism officers executed a search warrant at a property in Westminster in Perth’s north.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Authorities have now upgraded the charges to include an additional charge of acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts.
The latest charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Police will allege the man sought assistance on a messaging platform in relation to explosive devices, military and tactical training, weapons manufacturing, combat techniques and fake documents as part of planning a terrorist attack.
An electronic device seized by investigators allegedly contained violent extremist material.
The forensic search also revealed text messages and phone calls to a woman known to the man.
He was charged in October with allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill her and was subsequently placed on bail.
The man was initially charged on December 4 with one count of possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, as well as four charges related to breaching bail.
Later that same month he was charged with a further two counts of collected or made a document knowing it was connected with a terrorist act, as well as one count of possessed a thing knowing it was connected with a terrorist act, and one count of possessed or controlled violent extremist material in data form.
Following the addition of the planning a terror attack charge, police agreed to withdraw the charges of collecting a document knowing it was connected with a terrorist act and possessing a thing knowing it was connected with a terrorist act.
The man was due to appear before the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Friday.
The charges result from a joint operation involving the Western Australia Police Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
