April 25, 2016•Update: April 28, 2016
By Jill Fraser
MELBOURNE, Australia
Police say they have thwarted a suspected terrorist plot hours before commemorations were due to take place to mark the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Canakkale during World War I.
Police said Monday that a 16-year-old Sydney boy had been charged with planning an act allegedly linked to Sydney’s coverage of the national commemorations.
April 25 is known as ANZAC Day in Australia -- a significant national holiday that honors the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS) who fought and died in Canakkale on Turkey's western coast in 1915.
Australia and New Zealand commemorate the event as Gallipoli.
The arrest was announced shortly before the start of Sydney’s main ANZAC dawn service at Martin Place.
Media reported that officers had been monitoring the boy’s online activities.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life in jail.
In a statement Monday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said counter terrorism officers were forced to arrest the boy Sunday near his home in Auburn in Sydney's west, after an investigation by officers.
“Clearly we have taken swift action to ensure community safety on the eve of a sacred day on the Australian calendar,” Scipione said.
“I want to assure the NSW community that our counter-terrorism capability is such that we were able to move quickly to prevent harm.”
Scipione did not provide details of the alleged plot, saying it would be detailed in court later today.
“The age of the individual is obviously a concern for us, and it remains a measure of the ongoing task facing law enforcement and the community,” he said.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan called the prospect of a terror attack on Anzac Day a “chilling and disturbing scenario” and a “sad reflection” of the current terror threat Australia faced.
“Those who wish to do us harm -- some located here and some overseas -- continue to view Australia as a legitimate target,” he said.
The case was heard in the Children's Court on Monday morning.
The teenager did not apply for bail.
The boy's lawyer, Zemarai Khatiz, told media inside the court that the case would be defended and a bail application lodged Tuesday.
Papers tendered to the court reportedly showed the teenager was allegedly trying to obtain a gun to carry out an Anzac Day terror plot.
The incident did not deter Australians from marking the special day.
Thousands attended services across the country.
On average 50,000 Australians congregated at remembrance dawn services in each state capital to commemorate the 101st landing of the Australian and New Zealand forces.
Following the dawn services, thousands lined city streets to pay tribute to the annual march of veterans and their descendants.
