“The arrest of a WA man over an alleged racially-motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking,” Albanese wrote in a post on X.
PERTH: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the arrest of a man over an alleged terrorist plot as “deeply shocking”.
The 20-year-old man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday facing five charges, including acting in preparation for a terrorist act.
Western Australia Police said officers seized firearms, gas masks, a ballistic vest and a manifesto from a home in Bindoon.
The manifesto allegedly described plans for a “mass casualty event”.
Police said targets outlined in a notebook included Muslim places of worship, Western Australia’s Parliament House and police headquarters.
“The arrest of a WA man over an alleged racially-motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking,” Albanese wrote in a post on X.
“Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques – as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament – are particularly distressing.”
The Prime Minister added there was no place in Australia “for any kind of racially or religiously-motivated prejudice or hate”.
The man is also facing charges for firearms offences, possession of a prohibited weapon and online harassment.
Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said investigators believe the man was acting alone.
The investigation followed a probe into the man’s online activities and a search of the home where he lived with his parents.
