By Adesoba Toluwalope
The Australian Federal Police has arrested an 18-year old man (name withheld) in the Southern City of Albury in the New South Wales (NSW) State on alleged terrorism offences.
The arrest was made this morning, Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
The Police said the New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) had launched an investigation in August.
This was done after the investigators had discovered incriminating posts on the suspect’s social media accounts containing “extreme right-wing” ideology pointing to potential criminal activity.
In a statement of a press release, the Police said, “The 18-year old man was arrested earlier this morning (Wednesday December 9, 2020) and is due to be charged with a range of criminal counter terrorism-related offences.”
According to the Police, the teenager was arrested Wednesday as they were concerned over “the escalating content of some of the man’s communications, which allegedly indicated his willingness to commit a violent and criminal act.”
The teenager is set to appear before the Albury Local Court on Wednesday and will be charged with urging violence against members or groups.
A joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the New South Wales (NSW) began their investigation in August resulting to the arrest of the 18-year old in Albury.
The 18-year old Albury man allegedly used social media to express support for extremist ideology.
“The male we’ve arrested has an extreme right-wing ideology and is focused on neo-nazi, white supremacist and anti-semitic material,” Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism (AFP), Scott Lee said.
Scott Lee said bomb-making instructions were shared online “which he has sought to provide to others as part of his activities to urge others to commit terrorist acts and violence against community members.”
Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee has also confirmed that although the suspect is not directly linked to the christchurch attack, that killed people in two mosques, he had expressed support for the ideology of the one who committed it.
The man who has been charged to court risks the maximum penalty of a seven-year imprisonment and up to five-year jail term if found guilty.
