Raid

[crisis]

NEW South Wales Police Commissioner Ken Moroney has confirmed today's early morning raids on 15 southwest Sydney properties was a pre-emptive strike on a group believed to be planning an act of terrorism.
Hundreds of police from NSW, Victoria and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as well as ASIO agents conducted the raids in Sydney and Melbourne following a 16-month intelligence-based operation.
Mr Moroney said amendments to anti-terrorist legislation by Prime Minister John Howard last week helped police carry out the arrests but denied the announcement last week of a terrorist threat against Australia forced the hand of investigating officers.
Mr Moroney said the decision to conduct the raids was made yesterday.
Six of seven men in custody in Sydney were due to face Sydney courts later today on charges of stockpiling chemicals for a possible terrorist attack.
A seventh man was shot in the chest by police after he opened fire at them, hitting an officer, police said.
He was being treated in Liverpool Hospital, where his condition was satisfactory.
The seven were expected to be charged under Commonwealth law with commit and act in preparation for an act of terrorism and would be refused bail, he said.
Mr Moroney said chemicals were discovered by police during the raids today and he had been fully briefed on the properties of the chemicals.
The chemicals, according to NSW Premier Morris Iemma, were capable of making explosives.
"I'm advised that as result of on going investigations intelligence was received that a group was making arrangements to stockpile chemicals and other materials capable of making explosives," Mr Iemma said.
"Those detained will be charged with terrorist related activities."
The targets were unknown but it could be assumed Sydney and Melbourne were among them, Mr Moroney said.
He said the investigation was on-going and would not cease as a result of the arrests.
A total of 16 men have been arrested and charged following the raids.


I must say I was a bit skeptical when I first heard this given the fact that our untrustworthy governement was under pressure to produce something to justify the new anti terror laws (which could proabably enable them to arrest me for writing this). It would appear however that the urgency may have been as a result of the neccessity to aprehend these loonies.

[whiteballz]

well, atleast they got them... hope the cop isnt hurt too bad

[henk4]

when I was in highschool (lower grades) a friend and me made rockets fired by potassium chloride and sugar, which created enough force to disappear into a wall. Probably by now this would surely count as an act of severe terrorism. I do remember how terrorised my friends' mother was.

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by henk4

when I was in highschool (lower grades) a friend and me made rockets fired by potassium chloride and sugar, which created enough force to disappear into a wall. Probably by now this would surely count as an act of severe terrorism. I do remember how terrorised my friends' mother was.

Friend was "caught" distilling Tri Nitro Toulene in our 5th Year Chemistry lab.
He'd got bored with "normal" bangs he made at home.
He was caught after one of the lab technicians realised the combinations of chemicals he'd requested the day before

[SlickHolden]

This just goes to show how much they hide from us.
I would like to know if the Govs new Terra laws were not passed what would have happened????

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

This just goes to show how much they hide from us.
I would like to know if the Govs new Terra laws were not passed what would have happened????

Given that they were collecting the intelligence for 16 montsh I dont' see how this links to any new "terra law".
What they were doing was illegal by any law.
Anyone care to explain ????

The cynics may suggest that the raid was done to make it LOOK liek the new law helped and for them then to be willign to give up even more freedoms

[nota]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

The cynics may suggest that the raid was done to make it LOOK liek the new law helped and for them then to be willign to give up even more freedoms

Careful Matra .. 'Honest John' Howard & his fascist cronies might just decide to abduct you under our charming new sedition laws

I see Dick Cheney is strongly advocating the legalisation of torture via CIA - not that America doesnt practice it already. Maybe this concept of neo-democracy revisionism will be our next cheap US import through Oz's recent Free-Trade sellout?

The way things are going here I wouldn't be suprised

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by nota

I see Dick Cheney is strongly advocating the legalisation of torture via CIA - not that America doesnt practice it already. Maybe this concept of neo-democracy revisionism will be our next cheap US import through Oz's recent Free-Trade sellout?

Yeah, the lawyer representing the Brits facing the tribunal in Guantanemo pointed out that the evidence against one of them is only a confession gained whilst he was in the hands of an "ally" - who tortured him by slicing his penis with razer blades !!!

Way to spread "freedom" and "democracy"

[nota]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Yeah, the lawyer representing the Brits facing the tribunal in Guantanemo pointed out that the evidence against one of them is only a confession gained whilst he was in the hands of an "ally" - who tortured him by slicing his penis with razer blades !!!

Way to spread "freedom" and "democracy"

Speaking of spreading, it seems highly likely that both AU detainees were disgustingly subjected to forced 'internalisation' of US freedom/democracy
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...0/s1494779.htm

Our Govt complicit
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/con...5/s1495220.htm

[crisis]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Given that they were collecting the intelligence for 16 montsh I dont' see how this links to any new "terra law".
What they were doing was illegal by any law.
Anyone care to explain ????

The cynics may suggest that the raid was done to make it LOOK liek the new law helped and for them then to be willign to give up even more freedoms

My natural cynicism kicked in too but after seeing some of the goons they arrested I think it was righteous. The new laws allow you to be arrested for plotting a terrorist act which does not need be specific. ie They do not need to have planned a specific attack on a specific day. If these allegations are true then I am in full agreement. Interestingly when the PM met with the state Premiers to discuss the new laws (many of which are on the opposite (left) side of politics) they to a man were in almost 100% agreement after being breifed by the security services.

In a day of dramatic developments:

 SUSPECT Omar Baladjam, 28, was shot in the neck after allegedly firing on police near a Sydney mosque;

 A COURT heard the group was about to kill "innocent men and women in Australia". Prosecutor Richard Maidment QC said: "The evidence suggests that each one of the group is committed to violent jihad, either by martyring themselves or doing acts that will do very serious harm";

 THE suspected mastermind was Melbourne Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika, better known as Abu Bakr, who has previously described Osama bin Laden as a "great man";

Other interesting quotes , I think they wanted this guy for a while.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika described Osama bin Laden as "a great man" and declared he would be betraying his religion if he told students not to train in terrorist camps.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr, said: "My religion doesn't tolerate other religion . . . Jihad is a part of my religion."



 MELBOURNE man Ahmed Merhi, 20, who is expecting his first child, dreamed of being a suicide bomber: "He wanted to die here. He said he wanted to be a martyr (for Islam). It was quite clear that he wanted to go the way of a suicide bomber," Detective Sergeant Chris Murray told Melbourne Magistrates Court;

 MERHI also led the others in defying an order to stand up in court, telling magistrate Reg Marron: "We stand only to God";

 DETECTIVES said they had 240 hours of telephone intercepts and electronic surveillance of the suspects; and

 THE raids continued last night, with police and bomb squad officers raiding a home in Glenview Ave, Panania.

Police have alleged the group had stockpiled hundreds of litres of the volatile chemical acetone – the same substance used in the London bombings – and was preparing to begin a campaign of terror within weeks.

A bunch of supporters of the arrested bashed a camera man outside the courts as well.

[nota]

Originally Posted by crisis

Interestingly when the PM met with the state Premiers to discuss the new laws (many of which are on the opposite (left) side of politics) they to a man were in almost 100% agreement after being breifed by the security services.

To be more accurate ALL States & Territorys are governed by the left (ie: Labor Party -opposite to Federal 'Liberal' conservatives)

Nor was there almost 100% agreement. The ACT Chief Minister rejected the 'terror' bill due to receiving legal advice opining that these laws will be

-unconstitutional in law (it effectively usurps our Constiution, bypassing required referendum)
-does not comply with ACT human rights legislation
-would likely fail a High Court appeal

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/det...ws&m=10&y=2005


In the converse, I'm amazed these total looneys were ever allowed into our fine country

[QuattroMan]

Originally Posted by crisis

[I]NEW South Wales Police Commissioner Ken Moroney has confirmed today's early morning raids on 15 southwest Sydney properties was a pre-emptive strike on a group believed to be planning an act of terrorism.
Hundreds of police from NSW, Victoria and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as well as ASIO agents conducted the raids in Sydney and Melbourne following a 16-month intelligence-based operation. .

thanks for posting this thread crisis!!thank you!

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Given that they were collecting the intelligence for 16 montsh I dont' see how this links to any new "terra law".
What they were doing was illegal by any law.
Anyone care to explain ????

The cynics may suggest that the raid was done to make it LOOK liek the new law helped and for them then to be willign to give up even more freedoms

Here is a good point Since when does labour and liberal agree?.
Sitting on there hands for 16months and needed these laws to pass before they could stop them.
They could not do that raid because talking about doing something without doing it isn't againts any law. This new law was able to get them good.
Just because i got ice cream doesn't mean I'm going to eat it.
With that new law they can go in and see what jocks you have on if any.
Say the New Terra law was held up where would we be now?.
You can't arrest someone for thinking bad, But now under these new laws you can.
Message to the Dishonourable John Coward.... YOU DICK! What took you so long we are not in any danger are we?? Coof Coof Bull Crap.
This is why Voters lose Faith in the elected Governments.
But i guess they look good now,

PM Statement

MY Fellow Australians, MY Government has diverted the biggest terrorist threat ever to this Great country of ours. This is why we introduced these laws through Parliament to stop people that are willing to hurt Innocent people, But let me assure you my fellow AmericAustralians We are in no danger of attacks because of our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
God bless AmeriAustralia. Now where is the cricket on love?.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Unfavourable War
+
Unwanted/Needed Terrorist Laws
+
Percieved "Theat"
=
Political Bullshieser.

The Government is now just taking the piss, pushing through laws which they know not many people want under the pretence of 'Protecting and helping Australia'. And what, 10 years worth of growth ain't enough?

The sad thing is, with no credible alternative, they'll get away with it. AND the next election.

Thats sad.

[SlickHolden]

And the next election and the next and next