Australian police arrest three over alleged Sydney terror plot

Three men were arrested on Tuesday over an ISIS group-inspired plot to attack a variety of Sydney targets including police and defense buildings, courts, churches and diplomatic missions, police said.

Three men were arrested on Tuesday over an ISIS group-inspired plot to attack a variety of Sydney targets including police and defense buildings, courts, churches and diplomatic missions, police said.

A 20-year-old suspect had been monitored by police for a year since he returned to Sydney from Lebanon, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said. He was known to police in Lebanon.

The suspect is expected to be charged with preparing for a terrorist act and preparing to enter Afghanistan for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities on behalf of ISIS, McCartney said, adding that he was to go to Afghanistan to take part in a separate plot. He could be sentenced to life in prison on each charge if found guilty.

“There were a number of plans both internationally in terms of him traveling overseas, but also a domestic plan which was evolving at the same time,” McCartney said.

A 23-year-old man is expected to be charged with being a member of the terrorist organization. He could be imprisoned for 10 years.

A 30-year-old man who is an associate of the other two was expected to be charged with obtaining financial benefit by deception through fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits. He too faces 10 years in prison. The men are expected to appear in a Sydney court by Wednesday.