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| Sydney hostages: Sydney gunman identified as Iranian | Sydney hostages: Sydney gunman identified as Iranian |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The gunman holding people hostage in a Sydney cafe has been identified as an Iranian refugee who was on bail facing a number of charges. | |
| Man Haron Monis, who was granted political asylum in Australia, was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure, who was acting alone. | Man Haron Monis, who was granted political asylum in Australia, was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure, who was acting alone. |
| Police say they will maintain central Sydney in lockdown until the hostages are brought out unharmed. | Police say they will maintain central Sydney in lockdown until the hostages are brought out unharmed. |
| Talks with the gunman continued after nightfall as police ringed the cafe. | |
| A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear. | A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear. |
| Five people have run from the building, located in Martin Place - a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. It is unclear whether they were released or escaped. | Five people have run from the building, located in Martin Place - a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. It is unclear whether they were released or escaped. |
| It appears the gunman has used three of the hostages to pass on demands, making them stand beside a black flag and having them make statements to a camera. | It appears the gunman has used three of the hostages to pass on demands, making them stand beside a black flag and having them make statements to a camera. |
| Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". | Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". |
| News organisations say he has contacted them to issue demands, which police have urged media not to report. | News organisations say he has contacted them to issue demands, which police have urged media not to report. |
| Offensive letters | |
| Mr Monis, who styles himself as a Muslim cleric, is currently on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his former wife and is facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. | |
| He has also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers. | |
| There are reports that one of his demands is for the flag of the Islamic State militant group to be delivered to the cafe, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports. | |
| He was seen inside the cafe wearing a backpack and a bandana. | |
| Channel 7, a broadcaster with offices facing the cafe, said lights inside the premises had been turned out as night fell. | Channel 7, a broadcaster with offices facing the cafe, said lights inside the premises had been turned out as night fell. |
| The incident had begun as people arrived for work in Martin Place early on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe. | |
| About 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time, Lindt said. Nearby offices were evacuated. | About 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time, Lindt said. Nearby offices were evacuated. |
| About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building. Two more people followed about an hour later. | About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building. Two more people followed about an hour later. |
| "Those people are now being assessed to make sure their health is okay and then police will talk to them," New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said. | "Those people are now being assessed to make sure their health is okay and then police will talk to them," New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said. |
| At the scene: Wendy Frew, BBC News, Sydney | At the scene: Wendy Frew, BBC News, Sydney |
| The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one block away from the Lindt coffee shop. | The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one block away from the Lindt coffee shop. |
| Rosemary D'Urso Healion had just come out of the Martin Place subway station and was walking to her office when she saw that it was blocked by police. Then she saw the police close down the subway station. | Rosemary D'Urso Healion had just come out of the Martin Place subway station and was walking to her office when she saw that it was blocked by police. Then she saw the police close down the subway station. |
| "I work in that building [where the siege is taking place] and I was just about to go in," she told the BBC, adding that she had been in contact with some of her colleagues who were in the building but not being held hostage. | "I work in that building [where the siege is taking place] and I was just about to go in," she told the BBC, adding that she had been in contact with some of her colleagues who were in the building but not being held hostage. |
| She remained at Martin Place anxiously watching a police operation that appeared to be aimed at getting some of her colleagues out via a ladder erected on a window ledge on the first floor. | She remained at Martin Place anxiously watching a police operation that appeared to be aimed at getting some of her colleagues out via a ladder erected on a window ledge on the first floor. |
| Uneasy crowds in Sydney | Uneasy crowds in Sydney |
| Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC | Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC |
| Shortly after the siege began TV footage showed people, thought to be employees and visibly distressed, holding up to the window a black flag bearing a declaration of the Islamic faith in Arabic. | Shortly after the siege began TV footage showed people, thought to be employees and visibly distressed, holding up to the window a black flag bearing a declaration of the Islamic faith in Arabic. |
| Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks. | Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks. |
| In September Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid. | In September Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid. |
| One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place. | One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place. |
| In October, the Australian parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts. | In October, the Australian parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts. |
| The black flag | The black flag |
| A black flag bearing the white Arabic text of the "shahada", the basic statement of the Islamic faith, is used by jihadist groups worldwide | A black flag bearing the white Arabic text of the "shahada", the basic statement of the Islamic faith, is used by jihadist groups worldwide |
| Timeline: Australia's terror threat | Timeline: Australia's terror threat |
| Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. | If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. |
| Have your say | Have your say |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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