AUSTRALIA — A man who allegedly threatened to kill police while armed with a knife in Surry Hills last year, is now facing terrorism charges over the incident after work by the NSW Police Force’s Fixated Persons Investigations Unit (FPIU).
About 1.50am on Wednesday 14 June 2017, uniformed officers were approached from behind by a man at the intersection of Devonshire and Elizabeth streets who was allegedly armed with a knife and making verbal threats towards them.
During his arrest, police will allege the man made numerous threats about wanting to become a martyr and kill police.
He was charged with being armed with intent to assault police and steal from persons, and remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, the Fixated Persons Investigation Unit within the NSW Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command has today laid further charges of:
(a) Possess a thing connected with a terrorist act contrary to S 101.4; and
(b) Doing an act in Preparation for, or planning a terrorist act contrary to 101.6 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
The 26-year-old man remains in custody and will appear in court on Thursday 8 February 2018.
Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command Mick Willing said the charges highlight the importance of the Fixated Persons Investigation Unit in capturing those who seek to cause harm.
“The Unit identifies and investigates people who may not necessarily profile as a terrorist suspect, but could be capable of carrying out an attack,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
“It’s a reality that there are people in the community who seek to cause harm to us, and police remain a target.
“NSW Police are doing everything we can to stop the next attack from happening and this unit adds another layer of protection for the community and in many cases, protects individuals from themselves.”
