A 22-year-old man who attempted to start bushfires in Victoria as part of religiously motivated terrorist attacks was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Supreme Court of Victoria on 10 October 2024. The man must serve at least six years before being eligible for parole.
The convicted individual was found guilty of being a member of the Islamic State, a declared terrorist organisation, and for preparing for a terrorist act. The sentence follows his arrest and charge by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) in March 2021, as part of Operation Loonbeek.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Glenn Tankard praised the collaborative efforts of the JCTT, stating that “the national JCTT model continues to ensure the safety of the community through partnerships that identify, investigate, and disrupt criminal behaviour.”
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of cooperation between agencies to prevent and respond to terrorism threats.
“This investigation is an excellent example of our work with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in protecting the Victorian community from harm and holding offenders to account,” she said.
The JCTT, which includes the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), launched an investigation into the man following two separate attempts in early 2021 to ignite fires in a heavily wooded area of Humevale, Victoria.
The man used petrol and fire starters in an attempt to start the blazes, filming the incidents and accompanying the footage with extremist propaganda in support of Islamic State.
During the investigation, the man purchased a knife and recorded a video pledging allegiance to the terrorist group. He later pleaded guilty to one count of membership in a terrorist organisation, under section 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
In November 2023, a jury found the man guilty of planning and preparing for a terrorist act, in violation of section 101.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The man’s sentencing reinforces the importance of ongoing vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to protect Australians from the threat of terrorism.
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