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Police in Sydney: ‘Siege is over’ after raid to free captives held by Iranian-born gunman Police in Sydney: 3 dead in raid to free captives held by Iranian-born gunman
(about 1 hour later)
In a blitz-style assault, Australian riot squads stormed a cafe after a more than 16-hour hostage standoff with an Iranian refu­gee gunman — sending captives rushing onto the streets as police closed in on their captor. Australian riot police ended a more than 16-hour hostage standoff with a blitz-style assault that sent frightened captives rushing onto the streets and left their Iranian-born captor among the three dead, officials and media reports said.
The number of casualties was not immediately clear from the predawn raid Tuesday in Sydney. Sky News Australia reported two people were dead, including the gunmen, but authorities had no confirmation on deaths or injuries. Further details from police were expected later Tuesday. A police spokeswoman in Sydney said at least three people were killed in the predawn raid Tuesday, but gave no further details, the Associated Press reported. The spokeswoman spoke on condition of anonymity under police policy.
The decision to launch the police assault was apparently prompted by worries the hostage-taker, identified as Iranian-born Man Haron Monis, was growing uneasy and began corralling some captives in a section of the cafe. The Australian Broadcasting Corp., citing police sources, said the fatalities included the gunman — who was convicted last year of sending hate mail to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, and is facing other charges including alleged links to the murder of his former wife.
Further details from police were expected later Tuesday.
The decision to launch the police assault was apparently prompted by worries the gunman, identified as 50-year-old Man Haron Monis, was growing uneasy and began corralling some captives in a section of the cafe.
The long showdown riveted the world’s attention and raised questions over the possibility of another so-called “lone wolf” attack inspired by militants such as the Islamic State. Earlier this month, a woman in the United Arab Emirates fatally stabbed an American teacher in a slaying that Abu Dhabi officials partially blamed on influence from radical Islam.The long showdown riveted the world’s attention and raised questions over the possibility of another so-called “lone wolf” attack inspired by militants such as the Islamic State. Earlier this month, a woman in the United Arab Emirates fatally stabbed an American teacher in a slaying that Abu Dhabi officials partially blamed on influence from radical Islam.
The raid at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe began with a series of loud bangs and intense gunfire. Police poured in the building, weapons drawn and protective face masks lowered. Hostages raced in the other direction, some with hands raised. The raid at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe began with a series of loud bangs — possibly stun grenades — and intense gunfire. Police poured in the building, weapons drawn and protective face masks lowered. Hostages raced in the other direction, some with hands raised.
One female hostage was shot in the leg, a hospital official said, and at least two people were wheeled out of the cafe on stretchers, according to the Associated Press. One female hostage was shot in the leg, a hospital official said, and at least two people were wheeled out of the cafe on stretchers, according to the AP.
It was not immediately clear how many people were held. Five people had earlier escaped as the hostage drama unfolded, including scenes in which captives held a black Islamic flag to the window.It was not immediately clear how many people were held. Five people had earlier escaped as the hostage drama unfolded, including scenes in which captives held a black Islamic flag to the window.
“The Sydney siege is over,” said Twitter post from the New South Wales Police, which covers Sydney.“The Sydney siege is over,” said Twitter post from the New South Wales Police, which covers Sydney.
Shortly before the police moved in, Australian media identified the hostage-taker as Monis, who was convicted last year sending hate mail to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Monis was sentenced to 300 hours of community service. Shortly before the police moved in, Australian media named the hostage-taker as Monis, a self-styled Islamic cleric and “spiritual healer.”
Monis, a self-styled Islamic cleric and “spiritual healer,” was later charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and charged with the sexual assault of a woman in 2002. He has been out on bail on the charges, the Reuters news agency reported. He was sentenced to 300 hours of community service for sending the threatening and harassing letters to the families of the fallen military personnel. Monis was later charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and charged with the sexual assault of a woman in 2002.
Australia’s 9News said Monis — whose previous name was Manteghi Bourjerdi — migrated to Australia in 1996. He has been out on bail on the charges, the Reuters news agency reported. Australia’s 9News said Monis — who also went by the names Sheik Haron and Mohammad Hassan Manteghi — migrated to Australia in 1996 and was granted political asylum.
His Web site shows graphic images of children that the site claims were killed by U.S. and Australian airstrikes. The site insists he “supports his Muslim brothers [and] sisters” but it not affiliated with specific groups.His Web site shows graphic images of children that the site claims were killed by U.S. and Australian airstrikes. The site insists he “supports his Muslim brothers [and] sisters” but it not affiliated with specific groups.
Still, authorities are certain to explore possible connections to Islamist factions or propaganda. Before the raid, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said only that the hostage-taker was “claiming political motivation.”Still, authorities are certain to explore possible connections to Islamist factions or propaganda. Before the raid, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said only that the hostage-taker was “claiming political motivation.”
“The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he said.“The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the New South Wales police department gave indirect confirmation of the media reports about Monis, saying the name was earlier kept secret for “operational reasons” but was now in the “public domain.”
Monis’s former lawyer, Manny Conditsis, described Monis as an “isolated figure,” according to ABC Australia.Monis’s former lawyer, Manny Conditsis, described Monis as an “isolated figure,” according to ABC Australia.
“His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness,” he told the paper.“His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness,” he told the paper.
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 expressing the Shahada, or Islamic declaration of faith: “There is no God but Allah” and “Mohammed is the messenger of God.”
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 sprinted 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.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.
“I could hear the hostage-taker in the background issuing instructions to him on what to request me to say on air,” the reporter, Ray Hadley of Radio 2GB, told the Australia Broadcasting Corporation.“I could hear the hostage-taker in the background issuing instructions to him on what to request me to say on air,” the reporter, Ray Hadley of Radio 2GB, told the Australia Broadcasting Corporation.
Hadley only broadcast an impassioned plea: “If there are no children in there, please release the women.”Hadley only broadcast an impassioned plea: “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.
The assault came several hours later. By 2:45 a.m, police had declared the operation over.The assault came several hours later. By 2:45 a.m, police had declared the operation over.
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.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. Muslim leaders in Australia, including the country’s grand mufti, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, deplored the incident as a “criminal act.”
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. Downtown Sydney had been placed on lockdown, evoking memories of a similar street-clearing order in late October after a lone gunman stormed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa.
“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.
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. The Sydney Opera House canceled Monday 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. The Sydney Opera House canceled Monday evening’s performances.
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.”
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 seized.One woman sent a text to her cousin -- a single exclamation point -- from the cafe moments after it was seized.
“I knew there was something wrong,” the relative told the Daily Mail Australia, declining to give her name at the time 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 at the time because of fears it could put her cousin in danger.
Peter Holly contributed to this report.