Police have announced a caravan containing explosives was part of a fake bomb plot “contrived by organised criminals”.
The caravan was discovered in Sydney’s north-west in January. It contained a note suggesting a planned attack on a synagogue.
However, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) now claims the caravan was part of a “fake terrorism plot” that was “never going to cause a mass casualty event”.
AFP Deputy National Security Commissioner Krissy Barrett said: “This twisted, self-serving criminality has terrorised Jewish Australians.”
What happened?
On 19 January, NSW police discovered a caravan filled with explosives in the north-western Sydney suburb of Dural.
A note was found inside the van suggesting it would be used in an antisemitic attack in Sydney, targeting a synagogue.
Police initially said the bombs were capable of blasts of up to 40 metres in diameter, which they said would cause a “mass casualty event”.
A major investigation was launched by state, federal and counter-terror police.
Latest findings
The AFP released the first public findings from their investigation on Monday.
They claim local and international criminals were involved in the incident. However, police suspect the plan was led by an individual “pulling the strings” from a distance.
The AFP alleges their plan included:
- Someone buying the caravan.
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- A group of criminals filling it with explosives and an antisemitic note.
- Leaving the caravan in a specific location.
- Tipping off police about a terror plot against Jewish Australians.
Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said it was “almost immediately” clear that the incident was “essentially a criminal con job”.
She attributed this to the police tip-offs, “how easily the caravan was found,” how visible the explosives inside it were, and there being no bomb detonator.
The AFP has identified several people linked to the fake terror plot, and said it’s working with local and international authorities to arrest those responsible.
Reaction
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said: “Those who concocted the criminal hoax and helped spread it have caused incalculable harm.”
Dreyfus said the Government “utterly condemns” antisemitism and that “antisemitic behaviour has no place in Australia”.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister, James Paterson, described “organised crime concocting terrorism plots targeting the Jewish community” as an “extremely serious matter.“
Other arrests
Also on Monday, NSW Police made 14 arrests over a spate of separate antisemitic attacks in Sydney.
It comes after several buildings including synagogues and schools were recently defaced in antisemitic graffiti. A preschool in the suburb of Maroubra was firebombed in January.
In a statement today, NSW Police said the 14 people were collectively charged with 65 offences, including destroying property, participating in a criminal group and using prohibited weapons.
