Police expect to charge three men with terrorism offences following a series of fires at a mosque in Victoria, which they allege were ‘inspired by Islamic State’.
A 29-year-old man was arrested following a traffic stop in Roxburgh Park late on Saturday night, and police allege he and two other men, who are currently behind bars awaiting trial for planning a terror attack on or about Christmas Day 2016, caused a serious fire at the Imam Ali Islamic Centre.
The fire gutted the building and was lit on December 11 last year. It was the biggest of three fires lit on the premises in just seven months.
Three men will be charged with terrorist offences following the alleged arson of an Islamic Centre in Melbourne last year (pictured)
The two men currently in custody, aged 25 and 27, will also be charged with committing a terrorist offence after causing a previous fire at the Islamic Centre on November 25 last year.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther told reporters on Sunday that the three men were ‘inspired’ and ‘strongly influenced’ by Islamic State to commit the arson, but there was no evidence to say they were directed to do so by the terrorist organisation.
Police intend to allege that the Islamic Centre, which doubled as a place of worship for Shiite Muslims, was targeted by the opposing Sunni denomination.
ISIS are extremist members of the Sunni denomination.
‘This centre is a Shiite centre, so what will be alleged is those that committed this attack adhere to an extremist Sunni ideology, Mr Guenther said.
He added that while police believe the threat the men posed had now been contained, it was also ‘reasonable to say’ there were more men associated with the group.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther (right) said the men attacked the mosque because of their ‘extremist Sunni ideology’
It is alleged the three men, two of whom are currently behind bars awaitng trial for plotting a terror attack on or around Christmas last year, set fire to the building after being ‘inspired by Islamic State’
Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Manager of Counter Terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney, said attacking a place of worship was a serious crime.
In a statement released by Victoria police, he said this particular type of crime would always be thoroughly pursued.
‘It is clear these arson attacks were designed to intimidate and influence those that attend this mosque and the wider Islamic community. These actions have no place in our society,’ he said.
‘Individuals or groups who think they are above the law when it comes to this type of intimidation should think again.
‘We are committed to doing everything we can to keep all Australians safe.’
The 29-year-old man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on Sunday, while the other two men will face the court on terror charges on Monday.
If found guilty, all three face life in prison.
The 29-year-old man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on Sunday, while the other two men will face the court on terror charges on Monday
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