Sixteen-year-old arrested on Tuesday in south-west Western Australia over alleged Instagram commentFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 16-year-old boy has been charged in Western Australia over an alleged online threat, which police claim alluded to a terrorist massacre, against a recently opened Sydney mosque.The comment on the place of worship’s Instagram page allegedly threatened to “Christchurch 2.0” the mosque at Edmondson Park in the city’s west, an apparent reference to the New Zealand city where an Australian man killed 51 worshippers in 2019.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…Sixteen-year-old arrested on Tuesday in south-west Western Australia over alleged Instagram commentFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 16-year-old boy has been charged in Western Australia over an alleged online threat, which police claim alluded to a terrorist massacre, against a recently opened Sydney mosque.The comment on the place of worship’s Instagram page allegedly threatened to “Christchurch 2.0” the mosque at Edmondson Park in the city’s west, an apparent reference to the New Zealand city where an Australian man killed 51 worshippers in 2019.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…
A 16-year-old boy has been charged in Western Australia over an alleged online threat, which police claim alluded to a terrorist massacre, against a recently opened Sydney mosque.
The comment on the place of worship’s Instagram page allegedly threatened to “Christchurch 2.0” the mosque at Edmondson Park in the city’s west, an apparent reference to the New Zealand city where an Australian man killed 51 worshippers in 2019.
The boy has been charged with creating false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger.
“Following a referral … to the Western Australia police force just before 5pm (Tuesday WA local time), a 16-year-old boy was arrested at Eaton, in south-west Western Australia,” New South Wales police said in a statement issued late on Tuesday.
Police said there were no ongoing threats to the community. He was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before a children’s court in WA on 4 April.
Places of worship needed to be safeguarded from hatred and violence, the Australian Islamic House’s president, Mazhar Hadid, said on Tuesday night.
“We also urge the public to remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry.”
The mosque officially opened on Friday, the first day of Ramadan.
Anthony Albanese said whoever was responsible for the alleged threat should face the full force of the law.
“There is no place for this in Australia … racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” the prime minister said in a statement.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the alleged threat was “very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan”.
The Australian Islamic House said nightly prayers would continue after it had been assured of an increased police presence.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president, David Ossip, said the community unequivocally condemned any alleged threat.
“A bigoted attack or threat targeted at any group of Australians is an attack on us all.”