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Australia terror arrest: Man held over suspected missiles plan | Australia terror arrest: Man held over suspected missiles plan |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A man suspected of trying to advise the so-called Islamic State on missiles has been arrested in Australia. | A man suspected of trying to advise the so-called Islamic State on missiles has been arrested in Australia. |
Haisem Zahab, 42, was arrested at Young, in rural New South Wales, on Tuesday, PM Malcolm Turnbull said. | |
Police allege the electrician was helping to develop a long-range guided missile, and designing a laser device to warn of incoming munitions used by forces in Iraq and Syria. | |
The arrest did not relate to a planned attack in Australia, Mr Turnbull said. | |
Mr Zahab was an Australian citizen and planned to provide IS "with the technical capability, and high-tech capability, to detect and develop missiles", the prime minister said. | |
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin alleged the man was acting alone and his advice was "fairly sophisticated and well-planned". | |
He did not appear to have direct experience with missile or laser technology, the commissioner said. | |
Tuesday's police raid involving dozens of officers followed a complex 18-month investigation. | |
Extensive search | Extensive search |
Police said Mr Zahab was arrested in front of his family, including children, at Young, about 150km (93 miles) north-west of Canberra. | |
Footage broadcast on the local Nine network showed police with dogs and metal detectors scouring the rural property. | |
"This is a very technical offence and this gentleman is quite technically minded so we will be doing a complete, thorough forensic examination of that property," Mr Colvin said. | "This is a very technical offence and this gentleman is quite technically minded so we will be doing a complete, thorough forensic examination of that property," Mr Colvin said. |
"It could take hours, if not days, and we will leave no stone unturned in what we're looking for." | "It could take hours, if not days, and we will leave no stone unturned in what we're looking for." |
Mr Zahab is facing two foreign incursion-related charges carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a lesser charge of failing to comply with a police order. | |
"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities," Mr Turnbull said. | |
"It once again shows that we all need to be very vigilant." | |
Mr Turnbull praised the joint efforts of Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police. |