World

IS inspired ANZAC plot foiled

April 18, 2015 6:22 pm

Australian police allege two of the five men they arrested in Melbourne yesterday were planning an Islamic State-inspired attack on an Anzac Day ceremony.

Sevdet Besim, 18, of Hallam, has been charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act and appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until next Friday.

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However the defence told the court Besim would apply for bail at a later date.

A second man, 18, from Hampton Park, was also arrested on terrorism-related offences this morning during a major joint counterterrorism team operation.

A third man was arrested for weapons offences and two other men were in custody assisting police with their enquiries, after seven search warrants were executed.

Three of the five men arrested were injured in the operation.

One suffered a head wound and another resisted arrest.

Capsicum spray was used to subdue the men.

The Australian Federal Police said they believed the two 18-year-olds were plotting an attack to take place on Anzac Day.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said it was believed the attacks were to have involved the use of “edged knives”.