A man who tried to light bushfires in Victoria as part of religiously motivated terror attacks was yesterday (10 October, 2024) sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years.
The man, now aged 22, was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Victoria for being a member of Islamic State, a declared terrorist organisation, and for acts done in preparation for a terrorist act.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), comprising of members from the AFP, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), charged the man on 17 March 2021, as part of Operation Loonbeek.
The man was arrested and charged after an investigation was launched following two separate attempts in early 2021 to light fires in a heavily treed area of the Victorian suburb of Humevale, using petrol and fire starters. These attempts to start a bushfire were filmed and messages accompanying the videos included religiously motivated extremist propaganda in support of Islamic State.
During the course of the Operation Loonbeek investigation, the man purchased a knife and self-recorded a pledge of allegiance to Islamic State.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of membership of a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
On 8 November 2023, a jury subsequently found the man guilty of one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act, contrary to section 101.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
AFP Detective acting Superintendent Glenn Tankard said the matter was another example of the effectiveness and cooperation between agencies within the Victorian JCTT.
"The national JCTT model continues to ensure the safety of the community through partnerships that identify, investigate and disrupt criminal behaviour," Det a/ Supt Tankard said.
"The AFP's number one priority will always be to keep Australians safe from those who seek to do them harm."
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said Victoria Police valued the partnership approach to countering acts of terrorism.
"This investigation is an excellent example of our work with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in protecting the Victorian community from harm and holding offenders to account."
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be.
Report any suspicious activity to Triple Zero (000), Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 1234 00.
