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| Police storm cafe in Sydney to end hostage standoff | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| After a nearly 16-hour standoff, Australian police stormed a cafe where an apparent Iranian refugee held hostages at gunpoint and forced them to display an Islamic flag. | |
| Amid a succession of loud bangs, police moved into the cafe with their weapons drawn. Hostages fled on the street — some with they hands held up. It was not immediately clear whether there were injuries. | |
| In a Twitter post, police described the siege as over. It said more details would follow. | |
| Shortly before the move by police, Australian media identified the hostage-taker as an Iranian refugee, Han Haron Monis, previously convicted of sending hate mail to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. | |
| Monis, a self-styled Islamic cleric and “spiritual healer,” was convicted in 2012 of sending threatening and offensive letters to the families of eight Australian military members killed in Afghanistan, the Reuters news agency and Australian media reported, citing police sources. | |
| A spokeswoman for the New South Wales police department, which covers Sydney, gave indirect confirmation of the reports, saying the name was earlier kept secret for “operational reasons” but was now in the “public domain.” | A spokeswoman for the New South Wales police department, which covers Sydney, gave indirect confirmation of the reports, saying the name was earlier kept secret for “operational reasons” but was now in the “public domain.” |
| As Sydney moved past midnight Tuesday, there were images that suggested links to an Islamist-inspired attack, but authorities had given no public clues on the possible motives. | |
| Monis was charged last year with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife who was stabbed and set alight in a Sydney apartment block, Reuters reported. Monis’s website shows graphic images of children that the website says were killed by U.S. and Australian airstrikes. | Monis was charged last year with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife who was stabbed and set alight in a Sydney apartment block, Reuters reported. Monis’s website shows graphic images of children that the website says were killed by U.S. and Australian airstrikes. |
| Five people had managed to flee the cafe, including three wearing Lindt aprons. | |
| Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said only that “an armed person” was “claiming political motivation.””The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he said. | Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said only that “an armed person” was “claiming political motivation.””The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he said. |
| “Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society. Nothing should ever change that and that’s why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual. | “Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society. Nothing should ever change that and that’s why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual. |
| “The events on Martin Place — near Sydney’s landmark sail-shaped opera house — began as Monday morning rush hour was just starting to quiet. Witnesses said they saw a man with a gun walk into the cafe about 9:45 a.m. | “The events on Martin Place — near Sydney’s landmark sail-shaped opera house — began as Monday morning rush hour was just starting to quiet. Witnesses said they saw a man with a gun walk into the cafe about 9:45 a.m. |
| Soon, local TV stations filmed people through a window with their hands raised or palms pressed against the glass. Two held up a black sign with Arabic writing that read, “There is no God but Allah” and “Mohammed is the messenger of God,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. | Soon, local TV stations filmed people through a window with their hands raised or palms pressed against the glass. Two held up a black sign with Arabic writing that read, “There is no God but Allah” and “Mohammed is the messenger of God,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. |
| About 4 p.m., three men ran from the cafe’s fire exit. One was wearing a brown Lindt cafe apron. About an hour later, two women sprint from the same side door and ran into the arms of police. Both women were wearing Lindt aprons and also appeared to be employees. One of the former hostages was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and listed in satisfactory condition, authorities said. | About 4 p.m., three men ran from the cafe’s fire exit. One was wearing a brown Lindt cafe apron. About an hour later, two women sprint from the same side door and ran into the arms of police. Both women were wearing Lindt aprons and also appeared to be employees. One of the former hostages was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and listed in satisfactory condition, authorities said. |
| There were probably around 10 staff in the cafe when the gunman entered this morning, said Lindt Australia Chief Executive Officer Steve Loane, according to Reuters. | There were probably around 10 staff in the cafe when the gunman entered this morning, said Lindt Australia Chief Executive Officer Steve Loane, according to Reuters. |
| While many details about siege remained unanswered, the location suggested it was picked for maximum effect. The cafe is just yards from the newsroom of Channel Seven, the nation’s most-watched commercial broadcaster. Within minutes, a huge media contingent was camped out across from the cafe. | While many details about siege remained unanswered, the location suggested it was picked for maximum effect. The cafe is just yards from the newsroom of Channel Seven, the nation’s most-watched commercial broadcaster. Within minutes, a huge media contingent was camped out across from the cafe. |
| One radio reporter said he received a call from a “young person” held inside the cafe, but said it would have been “irresponsible” to put him on the air in case the broadcast endangered others. Later, the reporter, Ray Hadley of Radio 2GB, issued an impassioned plea on the air: “If there are no children in there, please release the women.” | One radio reporter said he received a call from a “young person” held inside the cafe, but said it would have been “irresponsible” to put him on the air in case the broadcast endangered others. Later, the reporter, Ray Hadley of Radio 2GB, issued an impassioned plea on the air: “If there are no children in there, please release the women.” |
| At about 9 p.m. Sydney time, the lights in the cafe were switched off. Police put on night-vision goggles and reinforced the cordon around the building. | At about 9 p.m. Sydney time, the lights in the cafe were switched off. Police put on night-vision goggles and reinforced the cordon around the building. |
| Australia has been threatened with violence by the Islamic State and other extremists in part for its participation in the U.S.-led battle with extremists in Iraq and Syria. New security measures have been put in place in recent months in response and a number of arrests have been made of individuals allegedly plotting acts of violence. Muslim leaders in Australia deplored the incident but pleaded with people not to jump to conclusions. | Australia has been threatened with violence by the Islamic State and other extremists in part for its participation in the U.S.-led battle with extremists in Iraq and Syria. New security measures have been put in place in recent months in response and a number of arrests have been made of individuals allegedly plotting acts of violence. Muslim leaders in Australia deplored the incident but pleaded with people not to jump to conclusions. |
| Aftab Malik, a Muslim community leader, who also works as a scholar-in-residence at the Lebanese Muslim Association in Lakemba in south-west Sydney, said he was shocked by what has taken place. | Aftab Malik, a Muslim community leader, who also works as a scholar-in-residence at the Lebanese Muslim Association in Lakemba in south-west Sydney, said he was shocked by what has taken place. |
| “We need to avoid wild speculation and use sensitive language to avoid any tensions escalating,” he said, according to Australian Broadcasting. The black flag, he said, quoted the Muslim testimony of faith. | “We need to avoid wild speculation and use sensitive language to avoid any tensions escalating,” he said, according to Australian Broadcasting. The black flag, he said, quoted the Muslim testimony of faith. |
| Downtown Sydney was placed on lockdown, evoking memories of a similar street-clearing order in late October after a lone gunman stormed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. | Downtown Sydney was placed on lockdown, evoking memories of a similar street-clearing order in late October after a lone gunman stormed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. |
| Helicopters hovered over the city. Surrounding streets and a train station were shut down. The Sydney Opera House, State Library and the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney were evacuated. By late afternoon, the Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel this evening’s performances. | Helicopters hovered over the city. Surrounding streets and a train station were shut down. The Sydney Opera House, State Library and the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney were evacuated. By late afternoon, the Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel this evening’s performances. |
| “I won’t clarify any operation tactics at the moment,” New South Wales State Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said during a news conference. “It is really important to remember that this is ongoing, that we still have people who are being held. We still have a person that we are dealing with. So as soon as we are able to provide that information, we certainly will, but the good news is that we do have five people who have come out of that building and that we are now dealing with.” | “I won’t clarify any operation tactics at the moment,” New South Wales State Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said during a news conference. “It is really important to remember that this is ongoing, that we still have people who are being held. We still have a person that we are dealing with. So as soon as we are able to provide that information, we certainly will, but the good news is that we do have five people who have come out of that building and that we are now dealing with.” |
| Throughout the day, authorities said they had been negotiating with the gunman “in various forms.” | Throughout the day, authorities said they had been negotiating with the gunman “in various forms.” |
| “There is speculation about what he might want, but we have to deal with him at the level of police negotiation,” Burn said. | “There is speculation about what he might want, but we have to deal with him at the level of police negotiation,” Burn said. |
| During Burn’s news conference, reporters said hostages were posting alleged demands from the gunman on social media. Burn said authorities are monitoring Facebook and Twitter as part of a “tactical response,” but did not elaborate. Police have asked these alleged demands not be made public. Since then, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote on its live feed, “This blog is retracting reports of multiple demands that had come from a number of media outlets.” | During Burn’s news conference, reporters said hostages were posting alleged demands from the gunman on social media. Burn said authorities are monitoring Facebook and Twitter as part of a “tactical response,” but did not elaborate. Police have asked these alleged demands not be made public. Since then, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote on its live feed, “This blog is retracting reports of multiple demands that had come from a number of media outlets.” |
| After the incident, world leaders were briefed on the situation. President Obama spoke with his counterterrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco. | After the incident, world leaders were briefed on the situation. President Obama spoke with his counterterrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco. |
| British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter, “It’s deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.” Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called it “disturbing.” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Peter O’Neill, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, joined the conversation as well. | British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter, “It’s deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.” Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called it “disturbing.” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Peter O’Neill, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, joined the conversation as well. |
| Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada extended his support. “Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends #MartinPlace #SydneySiege,” Stephen Harper posted on Twitter. | Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada extended his support. “Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends #MartinPlace #SydneySiege,” Stephen Harper posted on Twitter. |
| One woman sent a text to her cousin — a single exclamation point — from the cafe moments after it was siezed. | One woman sent a text to her cousin — a single exclamation point — from the cafe moments after it was siezed. |
| “I knew there was something wrong,” the relative told the Daily Mail Australia, declining to give her name because of fears it could put her cousin in danger. | “I knew there was something wrong,” the relative told the Daily Mail Australia, declining to give her name because of fears it could put her cousin in danger. |
| However, the police commissioner Scipione said there was no immediate confirmation the incident is related to terrorism. | However, the police commissioner Scipione said there was no immediate confirmation the incident is related to terrorism. |
| “We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to do to ensure that,” he said. “We are very contained. We certainly have tight restrictions and tight controls around that location and we will work as long as we need to bring this to an outcome. The officers there are trained and professional. They know what they’re doing and they have trained for. This I am sure they will get through this and this will be an outcome that will be positive.” | “We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to do to ensure that,” he said. “We are very contained. We certainly have tight restrictions and tight controls around that location and we will work as long as we need to bring this to an outcome. The officers there are trained and professional. They know what they’re doing and they have trained for. This I am sure they will get through this and this will be an outcome that will be positive.” |
| Although Martin Place has been dubbed an “exclusion zone,” officials encouraged people to go about their business in other areas. | Although Martin Place has been dubbed an “exclusion zone,” officials encouraged people to go about their business in other areas. |
| “This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people at a time like this but our thoughts and prayers must above all go out to the individuals who are caught up in this,” Abbott said. | “This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people at a time like this but our thoughts and prayers must above all go out to the individuals who are caught up in this,” Abbott said. |
| This story has been updated multiple times. | This story has been updated multiple times. |