Accused Islamic terrorist, 21, who ‘plotted New Year’s Eve attack’ in Melbourne’ set to stand

  • Somali-born man accused of plotting a terror attack on NYE is  set to stand trial
  • Ali Khalif Shire Ali, 21, was charged for plotting an act of terrorism in Melbourne
  • He was the target of an undercover operation by the Australian Federal Police
  • Evidence collected by the AFP will form part of prosecution’s case, court heard

A Somali-born man Ali Khalif Shire Ali, 21, (pictured) accused of plotting a terror attack on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne’s Federation Square is set to stand trial

A Somali-born man accused of plotting a terror attack on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne’s Federation Square is set to stand trial.  

Ali Khalif Shire Ali, 21, who was arrested and charged last November, had been the target of an undercover Operation San Jose by the Australian Federal Police’ (AFP) Joint-Counter-Terrorism Team, the court heard.

Telephone conversations and surveillance of Mr Ali collected during this period will form part of the prosecution’s case. 

Mr Ali was charged with plotting a New Years Eve terror attack in Federation Square, a cultural and arts precinct in Melbourne. 

 

Ali Khalif Shire Ali was charged with plotting a terror attack in Melbourne's Federation Square (pictured) on New Years Eve

Ali Khalif Shire Ali was charged with plotting a terror attack in Melbourne’s Federation Square (pictured) on New Years Eve

When magistrate Simon Zebrowski asked Mr Ali how he pleaded to the two charges, he said: ‘Your honour, I plead not guilty.’ 

While the court was open to the public on Wednesday, most of the evidence was heard behind closed doors because witnesses included undercover AFP agents, Herald Sun reports. 

There was concerns that that top secret methodology from the counter-terrorism unit would be revealed if their evidence was given before an open court.    

Federal agent Jonathan Bedford said officers were monitoring Mr Ali’s activities very closely and ‘sometimes daily’ in March-April last year, the court heard. 

Magistrate Zebrowski said there was ‘sufficient evidence’ to send Mr Ali to trial.

Mr Ali (pictured) was arrested and charged last November and he had been the target of an undercover operation by the Australian Federal Police' (AFP) Joint-Counter-Terrorism Team, the court heard

Mr Ali (pictured) was arrested and charged last November and he had been the target of an undercover operation by the Australian Federal Police’ (AFP) Joint-Counter-Terrorism Team, the court heard

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