Teen in Melbourne charged with terrorism offences after police find bombs

A terror plot to detonate three bombs in Melbourne has been foiled by police, authorities in Australia say. A 17-year-old was arrested over the allegations at his home in the city, where police say they found improved explosive devices before they were made safe by the bomb squad. The unnamed teen was charged on Friday with engaging in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act. Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the threat as “very serious”.

There have been some raids over the last 24 hours in Sydney and Melbourne. There’s been at least one arrest. There is evidence of a bomb plot that was in a reasonably advanced state of preparation.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan said authorities’ intervention had saved lives saying the teen was going to target a location in Australia. He added that police had contained the plot and there was no further threat from the suspect or his colleagues to the people of Victoria.

As a result of the Victoria police and AFP interception yesterday, some Victorians are going to be alive because of it. Had we not intervened, there was a real threat of action being taken.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan

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