Advertisement

Australian police foil terrorist plot to bring down airplane, arrest 4 suspects in Sydney

Click to play video: 'Four arrested in alleged airplane bomb plot'
Four arrested in alleged airplane bomb plot
WATCH: Anti-terrorism raids carried out across Sydney have thwarted an alleged plot to bring down an aircraft, according to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Reuters' Grace Lee reports – Jul 30, 2017

CANBERRA, Australia – Police disrupted a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane and arrested four men on Saturday in raids on homes in several Sydney suburbs, the prime minister said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said security had been increased at Sydney Airport since Thursday because of the plot. The increased security measures had been extended to all major international and domestic terminals around Australia overnight.

WATCH: In an exchange with a local reporter, the man arrested in relation to an Australian terrorism investigation claimed he was bashed by police.
Click to play video: 'Australian terrorism suspect says “I’ve done nothing” to local media'
Australian terrorism suspect says “I’ve done nothing” to local media

“I can report last night that there has been a major joint counterterrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane,” Turnbull told reporters. “The operation is continuing.”

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Australian police could get greater powers in ‘terrorism related’ incidents

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colivn said details were scant on the specifics of the attack, the location and timing.

“In recent days, law enforcement has been become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an improvised devise,” Colvin said.

“We are investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack,” he added.

WATCH: Australian police shoot hostage taker dead, scour for militant links
Click to play video: 'Australian police shoot hostage taker dead, scour for militant links'
Australian police shoot hostage taker dead, scour for militant links

Turnbull advised travellers in Australia to arrive at Australian airports earlier than usual – two hours before departure – to allow for extra security screening and to minimize carry-on baggage.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the plot was the 13th significant threat disrupted by police since Australia’s terrorist threat level was elevated in 2014. Five plots have been executed.

Story continues below advertisement

“The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but the events overnight remind us that there is still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat,” Keenan said.” In light of this information, it’s very important that everyone in Australia remains vigilant.”

READ MORE: Mother slams Donald Trump for labelling daughter’s killing in Australia as terrorism

The operation was carried out by the Australian Federal Police, the New South Wales state police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the country’s main domestic spy agency. The investigation could continue for days, Colvin said.

WATCH: Australia lowers aviation threat level days after uncovering plot to bring down a plane

Click to play video: 'Australia lowers aviation threat level days after uncovering plot to bring down a plane'
Australia lowers aviation threat level days after uncovering plot to bring down a plane

Seven Network television reported that 40 riot squad officers wearing gas masks stormed an inner-Sydney house before an explosives team found a suspicious device.

Story continues below advertisement

A woman led from a raid by police with her head covered told Nine Network Television: “I love Australia.”

None of the four suspects arrested in five raids had been charged, police said.

Sponsored content

AdChoices