A man is under investigation by the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team following allegations that he hurled a bomb at participants during a Perth Invasion Day rally.
During the rally held on Monday, a 31-year-old reportedly launched an improvised explosive device (IED) filled with an unidentified liquid and shrapnel into the crowd that had gathered to demonstrate.
Experts from the WA Police Bomb Response Unit, along with forensic teams, have verified that the device was a “fragment bomb,” crafted with volatile chemicals intended to detonate upon impact.
Surveillance video released by WA police captures a man tossing a glass object in Forrest Place, barely missing the crowd, before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was quickly identified and apprehended by police, and he appeared in court on Tuesday, facing charges of creating or possessing an explosive device, and attempting to cause harm.
He opted not to seek bail, and the case has been postponed until February 17.
The court granted a suppression order of the man’s identity due to fears for his safety.
On Wednesday evening, it was confirmed that the man is now under investigation by counter terrorism authorities.
“The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA JCTT) can confirm it is investigating the incident at Forrest Place in Perth on Australia Day as a potential terrorist act,” the statement read.
The WA JCTT is made up of state and federal police, along with ASIO.
‘Throw the book at him’, Albanese says
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the man’s alleged actions were shocking.
“My view … is that they should throw the book at him,” he told reporters in Darwin this week.
“This was an incident that is quite shocking. He’s been charged with two serious offences and I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full force of the law.”
WA Police commissioner Col Blanch said it was fortunate the device did not explode.
“For whatever reason it hasn’t detonated, but it is explosive compounds and it did contain the ball bearings and the screws and/or nails,” he told Perth radio station 6PR on Tuesday.
All major capital cities hosted Invasion Day protests, while opposing right-wing March for Australia rallies took place in capitals and some regional centres on Australia Day.
January 26 is a day of mourning for many Indigenous people, marking the First Fleet’s 1788 arrival and the start of British colonisation.
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