Get you up to speed: Perth man arrested for planning mass casualty attacks on mosques and police
A 20-year-old man from Bindoon, north of Perth, named Jayson Joseph Michaels, has been arrested by Western Australia’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team for planning ‘mass casualty’ terror attacks on political buildings and mosques. Police discovered a notebook with preparations for attacks on significant locations, including the WA police headquarters, parliament house, and places of Muslim faith. Michaels has been charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act, among other offences.
A 20-year-old man, Jayson Joseph Michaels, has been charged with several offences, including preparing for a terrorist act and possessing prohibited weapons, following his arrest by Western Australia’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team. According to AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch, this incident marks the first time someone has been charged in Western Australia for planning a terror attack. Premier Roger Cook highlighted that Michaels was motivated by white supremacist ideology and was radicalised online.
Jayson Joseph Michaels has been charged with multiple offences, including acting in preparation for a terrorist act and possessing a prohibited weapon. Commissioner Col Blanch stated that the arrest marks the first time an individual in Western Australia has been charged with planning a terror attack. This incident has raised significant concerns about online radicalisation and the motivations behind such extremist activities.
What we know so far
‘White supremacist’ plotting ‘mass casualty attack’ on mosques arrested | News World
Commissioner Col Blanch said the man was planning to attack multiple places (Picture: AAP Image)
A 20-year-old man from Perth, Australia, has been arrested after planning ‘mass casualty’ terror attacks in political buildings and mosques.
Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, from the town of Bindoon north of Perth, was caught by Western Australia’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team after they investigated his online activities.
‘Most concerningly, there was a notebook that outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations including the WA police headquarters building, parliament house, and places of Muslim faith,’ police commissioner Col Blanch said.
WA’s Premier, Roger Cook, said at a press conference that the suspect was motivated by white supremacist ideology online.
After executing a search warrant at his home, police found firearms, imitation firearms, ballistic vests, gas masks and lock-picking equipment.
Blanch added that the man lived with his parents around an hour north of Perth and said he was ‘radicalised online’.
He had been planning to attack Western Australia’s parliament (Picture: Getty)
Michaels has been charged with: acting in preparation for a terrorist act, using a carriage service to menace or harass, possessing a prohibited weapon and two firearms offences.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques — as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament — are particularly distressing.
‘There is no place in our country for any kind of racially or religiously-motivated prejudice or hate. As I’ve said many times, we need to take the temperature down.
‘Political leaders have a particular responsibility not to fan the flames of bigotry.’
Police seize notebook and ‘manifesto’ document
AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch told ABC News that Michaels’ arrest is the first time someone has been charged with planning a terror attack in Western Australia.
When police searched Michaels’ home, Hatch said: ‘It’s alleged the man had written a manifesto-style document outlining plans for an ideologically motivated attack of violent extremism involving mass casualties.
He added: ‘Most concerningly, there was a notebook outlining plans for a terrorist attack at significant locations.’
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