Australia arrests five on charges of plotting ANZAC Day attack

Five Australian teenagers were arrested Saturday on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack that would have targetted police officers, officials said. The suspects included two 18-year-olds accused of preparing to attack the ANZAC Day ceremony in Melbourne, Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan told reporters. Another 18-year-old was arrested on weapons charges and two other men, aged 18 and 19, are in custody and assisting police, he said.

It is alleged both men were undertaking preparations for planning terrorist acts in Melbourne, which included targeting police officers. Part of their alleged planning included targeting an ANZAC Day ceremony.

Victoria state and federal police, in a joint statement.

The arrests took place in Melbourne, where a joint counterterrorism team served a total of seven warrants Saturday morning. Police said they were conducting searches at properties.  ANZAC Day, short for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, commemorates a World War I battle in Turkey on April 25.

World ANZAC Day