Australia foils plane terror plot

(Baonghean.vn) - Security has been stepped up at Australian airports after police successfully thwarted “radical Islamist-inspired” plans to bomb planes during anti-terror raids. The Australian Federal Police also confirmed the arrest of four men on July 29.

Police in protective gear talk to colleagues after an anti-terror raid that resulted in the arrest of four suspects on July 30 in suburban areas of Sydney, Australia. Photo: Reuters

“In recent days, law enforcement has received information that individuals in Sydney are plotting to commit an act of terrorism using an improvised device,” Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said at a press conference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on July 30, adding:

“We believe it was an act of Islamist-inspired terrorism. Exactly what was behind it is something we will need to fully investigate. At this point we do not have much information about the attack, the location, the date or the time. However, we are investigating information that suggests the aviation industry may have been targeted…”

On July 29, local police searched five properties across Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Wiley Park in the Sydney suburbs, with Chief Superintendent Colvin saying four of the searches could continue over the next few days.

An Australian Federal Police spokesman also told Reuters that those arrested as of the morning of July 30 had not yet been charged.

Prime Minister Turnbull said advice from Australia's security and intelligence agencies had led to increased security measures at Sydney Airport on July 28, while other domestic and international airports in the country also saw tighter security from July 29.

“Some of the measures will be obvious to people, some won't be,” Turnbull said.

Mr Colvin also said passengers should expect an increased police and security presence at airports.

“Passengers may have to wait longer for a thorough search of their luggage, including checked and carry-on baggage,” adding that passengers need to allow more time to get through security.

Security has been increased in Australia in recent days. Photo: Reuters

Australia, a close US ally, has been on high alert since 2014 for the risk of attacks by fighters returning from the Middle East war or those supporting it.

Authorities say they have foiled several attacks since then, but there have been a number of “lone wolf” attacks, including one at a Sydney cafe that left two hostages and the attacker dead.

Last month, Australia's immigration minister said about 100 people had left Australia to go to Syria to fight with groups such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Phu Binh

(According to Reuters)