Arrest of Western Australia man over alleged terror plot

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday’s
​arrest of a Western Australian man over an alleged terror plot ​targeting mosques, police and a parliament building ​was “deeply shocking”. The 20-year-old ⁠from the town of Bindoon about 63 km (39 miles) north ​of state ‌capital Perth was later charged by police with planning a terrorist act. Police ​said the man had written a manifesto with plans for a mass casualty event and that he wanted ‌to ‌attack mosques, ​Western Australia’s police headquarters and Parliament House. Albanese said on X late on Friday: “The arrest of a WA man over an ​alleged racially-motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking.” “Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks ​on mosques – as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament – are particularly distressing. He should face the full force of the law,” Albanese said. The ‌arrest is the latest in a series of incidents in Australia classified as terrorism, including an ⁠attempt on January