This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/sydney-lindt-cafe-siege-hostages-display-islamic-flag-as-up-to-20-people-are-held-by-armed-man-9924641.html

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Sydney siege: Five escape cafe as undisclosed number of hostages held by armed man are forced to display Islamic flag Sydney siege: Five hostages escape Lindt cafe siege as suspected Islamist gunman takes up to 15 people captive
(35 minutes later)
A gunman brandishing a black Islamic flag has taken around 15 people hostage at a cafe in central Sydney and reportedly told police that he has planted four bombs around the city. Five people have escaped after a gunman with a black Islamic flag took around 15 hostages at a cafe in central Sydney and reportedly told police that he has planted four bombs around the city.
The Lindt cafe in Martin Place has been surrounded by police since 9.45am local time. Footage has shown five people - three men and two women - managing to flee the crisis. Hundreds of police have surrounded the Lindt cafe in Martin Place since 9.45am local time. Dramatic footage has shown five people - three men and two women - managing to flee the siege.
It is understood the five, some of whom were wearing brown aprons with the Lindt logo on them, are thought to have escaped rather than be released.It is understood the five, some of whom were wearing brown aprons with the Lindt logo on them, are thought to have escaped rather than be released.
Footage has also been released showing staff and customers holding a black Islamic up against the window. Footage has also been released showing staff and customers holding a black Islamic flag up against the window.
Police have confirmed that negotiators have made contact with the gunman, who is thought to be middle-aged.Police have confirmed that negotiators have made contact with the gunman, who is thought to be middle-aged.
He is understood to have have made a known a list of his demands to local news organisation throw phone calls made from inside the cafe.  He is understood to have have made known a list of his demands to local news organisation through phone calls made from inside the cafe. 
New South Wales Police has requested that media organisations do not repeat the gunman's demands or relay what the hostages have said during these calls.New South Wales Police has requested that media organisations do not repeat the gunman's demands or relay what the hostages have said during these calls.
Australia's Channel Ten has reported that he told police that he had placed two bombs in the city's central business district and had a further two in the cafe with him.Australia's Channel Ten has reported that he told police that he had placed two bombs in the city's central business district and had a further two in the cafe with him.
Channel Ten also claims to have received a video in which a hostage has relayed the gunman's demands, according to its anchor Hugh Riminton, who said that the video will not be broadcast in accordance with police requests.Channel Ten also claims to have received a video in which a hostage has relayed the gunman's demands, according to its anchor Hugh Riminton, who said that the video will not be broadcast in accordance with police requests.
Chris Reason, a reporter at Channel 7, a broadcaster whose offices were evacuated as they face the café, has a direct line of sight on to the scene and tweeted that the lights inside the cafe have now been turned off.Chris Reason, a reporter at Channel 7, a broadcaster whose offices were evacuated as they face the café, has a direct line of sight on to the scene and tweeted that the lights inside the cafe have now been turned off.
He described the armed hostage-taker as appearing "agitated" earlier when three men and two women escaped the cafe in Sydney, where an undisclosed number of people are still being held.He described the armed hostage-taker as appearing "agitated" earlier when three men and two women escaped the cafe in Sydney, where an undisclosed number of people are still being held.
Police are not providing detail on the operation and whether it was the force who have turned off the lights or the people inside the building, and have not confirmed whether the five people who escaped the building did so by their own means or were set free by the gunman. Police are not providing details on the operation and whether it was the force who have turned off the lights or the people inside the building, and have not confirmed whether the five people who escaped the building did so by their own means or were set free by the gunman.
Police negotiators have revealed they suspect they now know the name of the gunman, but have asked media not to reveal his identity.Police negotiators have revealed they suspect they now know the name of the gunman, but have asked media not to reveal his identity.
New South Wales's Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said at a press conference: "I understand that no one has been injured, and if that is true then we are grateful."New South Wales's Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said at a press conference: "I understand that no one has been injured, and if that is true then we are grateful."
"Our only goal is to get those people who are currently caught in that building out of there safely. Nothing will change.""Our only goal is to get those people who are currently caught in that building out of there safely. Nothing will change."
Footage broadcast earlier on Sky News showed two men running towards a group of police around what appeared to be a fire escape door. In a separate shot another man, wearing a brown apron, was seen running out through the door.Footage broadcast earlier on Sky News showed two men running towards a group of police around what appeared to be a fire escape door. In a separate shot another man, wearing a brown apron, was seen running out through the door.
Two hostages run for cover behind a policeman during a hostage siege in a cafe in Sydney (AFP) A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held in Sydney (Reuters) A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held, in Martin Place in central Sydney (Reuters)Two hostages run for cover behind a policeman during a hostage siege in a cafe in Sydney (AFP) A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held in Sydney (Reuters) A hostage runs towards a police officer outside a cafe, where other hostages are being held, in Martin Place in central Sydney (Reuters)
Later footage showed two women wearing aprons with the Lindt chocolate logo fleeing the building.Later footage showed two women wearing aprons with the Lindt chocolate logo fleeing the building.
Armed officers have surrounded the Lindt Chocolat Café in Martin Place in Sydney's Central Business District, where staff and customers have been forced to hold what appeared to be a black Islamic flag against the window.Armed officers have surrounded the Lindt Chocolat Café in Martin Place in Sydney's Central Business District, where staff and customers have been forced to hold what appeared to be a black Islamic flag against the window.
It is not known exactly how many people are still inside the cafe, although it was reported that a Lindt executive had said there were 10 staff members in the venue.It is not known exactly how many people are still inside the cafe, although it was reported that a Lindt executive had said there were 10 staff members in the venue.
Reporter Chris Reason claimed there were around 15 hostages, “a mix of women, men, young and old,” who are being forced to stand against windows for up to two hours at a time.Reporter Chris Reason claimed there were around 15 hostages, “a mix of women, men, young and old,” who are being forced to stand against windows for up to two hours at a time.
He reports that food was apparently being delivered to the hostages, with “staff bringing it out from kitchen at the back”.He reports that food was apparently being delivered to the hostages, with “staff bringing it out from kitchen at the back”.
New South Wales's Premier Mike Baird thanked the police: "Earlier tonight the commissioner and I also had a conference call with the Islamic leaders. They expressed their full confidence and support with what the NSW police are doing, and the commissioner and I thank them for it. New South Wales's Premier Mike Baird thanked the police, and said: "Earlier tonight the commissioner and I also had a conference call with the Islamic leaders. They expressed their full confidence and support with what the NSW police are doing, and the commissioner and I thank them for it.
"We are in this together.""We are in this together."
Mr Baird said there will be an exclusion zone in place around Martin Place in the morning, and has urged whose offices are inside the exclusion zone to work from home, while he said the rest of Sydney will be operating as normal. Mr Baird said there will be an exclusion zone in place around Martin Place in the morning, and has urged those whose offices are inside the exclusion zone to work from home, while he said the rest of Sydney will be operating as normal.
This video image shows the suspected hostage-taker inside the cafe Addressing reporters, New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: “Our approach is to resolve this peacefully, it might take a while but that is our approach.This video image shows the suspected hostage-taker inside the cafe Addressing reporters, New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: “Our approach is to resolve this peacefully, it might take a while but that is our approach.
“We will be working into the night if this situation continues,” she added, describing the situation as a “sensitive negotiation” and said police are “working through this methodically to make sure nobody is injured”.“We will be working into the night if this situation continues,” she added, describing the situation as a “sensitive negotiation” and said police are “working through this methodically to make sure nobody is injured”.
The police have urged “business as usual” for people in Sydney, though Sydney Opera House has reportedly cancelled performances for Monday night and the building was evacuated after reports of a suspicious device.The police have urged “business as usual” for people in Sydney, though Sydney Opera House has reportedly cancelled performances for Monday night and the building was evacuated after reports of a suspicious device.
Burn said earlier that police are with the people that had escaped, and that "the first thing that we are doing is making sure that they are okay. We will then establish who they are, and then we will continue to work with them".Burn said earlier that police are with the people that had escaped, and that "the first thing that we are doing is making sure that they are okay. We will then establish who they are, and then we will continue to work with them".
A black flag with white Arabic writing is held up at the window of the Lindt cafe She said police negotiators were in contact and nobody had been harmed, adding: "We have been working through our negotiations to try to make sure that the people inside are cared for, that they have what they need, so that they don't become ill or injured, so we will continue to do that."A black flag with white Arabic writing is held up at the window of the Lindt cafe She said police negotiators were in contact and nobody had been harmed, adding: "We have been working through our negotiations to try to make sure that the people inside are cared for, that they have what they need, so that they don't become ill or injured, so we will continue to do that."
Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The flag seen in the window is believed to be the Shahada, which carries a message that translates as: "There is no deity of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The flag seen in the window is believed to be the Shahada, which carries a message that translates as: "There is no deity of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God." 
Armed police officers were seen outside the café with their guns drawn, and a man with a backpack inside the cafe could be seen walking back and forth in front of the glass doors. The building it is in contains a number of state government bodies.Armed police officers were seen outside the café with their guns drawn, and a man with a backpack inside the cafe could be seen walking back and forth in front of the glass doors. The building it is in contains a number of state government bodies.
Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The newsroom at broadcaster Channel7, which is about 30 metres away, was evacuated.Police closed roads in the area and also stopped some trains from running after the alert was raised at about 9.45am on Monday local time. The newsroom at broadcaster Channel7, which is about 30 metres away, was evacuated.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.
"We don't yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be," Abbott told reporters in Canberra."We don't yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be," Abbott told reporters in Canberra.
"This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people," Abbott said, without providing any information on the unfolding siege."This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people," Abbott said, without providing any information on the unfolding siege.
Mr Abbott's office earlier released a statement: "New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.Mr Abbott's office earlier released a statement: "New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.
To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.
"I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance."I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance.
"The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation.""The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation."
“This is chilling,” said Kylie Gillies, host of Channel7’s The Morning Show as she watched events from the studio.“This is chilling,” said Kylie Gillies, host of Channel7’s The Morning Show as she watched events from the studio.
Talk radio presenter Ray Hadley claimed on Twitter that he was rung by a hostage while on air. He took the call off air and the station, 2GB, then said that the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this.Talk radio presenter Ray Hadley claimed on Twitter that he was rung by a hostage while on air. He took the call off air and the station, 2GB, then said that the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this.
Police close a street where a cafe is being used to hold hostages in the central business district of Sydney Her colleague Shelly Horton, a journalist with the station, tweeted: “Terrifying siege in Martin Place. Those poor hostages. My @themorningshowon7 @sunriseon7 friends have been evacuated.”Police close a street where a cafe is being used to hold hostages in the central business district of Sydney Her colleague Shelly Horton, a journalist with the station, tweeted: “Terrifying siege in Martin Place. Those poor hostages. My @themorningshowon7 @sunriseon7 friends have been evacuated.”
An employee of the cafe said her "heart just sank" when she recognised three of the hostages on television.
Kathryn Chee was about to start work at the Lindt chocolate cafe in Martin Place when news of the siege broke.
She said the first pictures she saw were "three people she knew" standing with their hands up against the cafe's window.
"I was shocked, I didn't know what to do," she told ABC News Australia. "I started calling work. I called my kitchen manager and he didn't pick up the phone. My heart just sank."
Earlier on Monday, police arrested a 25-year-old man in the city as part of operations to disrupt the flow of money and fighters to conflict zones such as those in Iraq and Syria.Earlier on Monday, police arrested a 25-year-old man in the city as part of operations to disrupt the flow of money and fighters to conflict zones such as those in Iraq and Syria.
The police commissioner confirmed that the two incidents were not in any way linked.The police commissioner confirmed that the two incidents were not in any way linked.
John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister, is one of the world leaders to have sent messages of support to Mr Abbott.John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister, is one of the world leaders to have sent messages of support to Mr Abbott.
I’ve contacted Prime Minister @TonyAbbottMHR to let him know our thoughts are with the people of Australia today.I’ve contacted Prime Minister @TonyAbbottMHR to let him know our thoughts are with the people of Australia today.
Australia is on high alert for attacks by radicalised Muslims or by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, having raised its threat level to high and undertaken a series of high-profile raids in major cities.Australia is on high alert for attacks by radicalised Muslims or by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, having raised its threat level to high and undertaken a series of high-profile raids in major cities.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that at least 70 Australians were fighting in Iraq and Syria backed by about 100 Australia-based "facilitators".Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that at least 70 Australians were fighting in Iraq and Syria backed by about 100 Australia-based "facilitators".
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report