Prosecutors will appeal after a teenager accused of telling an inmate in custody he knew how to make bombs “blow up the whole of Melbourne” was released on bail.
The 18-year-old was now was arrested in March after counter-terrorism authorities were tipped off that he had allegedly ordered a custom-made Islamic State flag, which led to the discovery of a stash of violent terrorist material including several bomb-making manuals and data that showed he was targeting synagogues and more intersections in Melbourne.
The teenager, who has not yet been identified, has been held in youth detention since then.
A judge told the juvenile court on Thursday it was a “difficult, long decision”, but finally granted the boy bail after reading a specialist’s report.
The youth’s bail conditions, described by the judge as “strict”, include 24-hour electronic monitoring, a night curfew, restrictions on access to electronic devices and regular reports to the police station.
The prosecution said they would appeal the decision after arguing that the young man was an unacceptable risk to society, and saying there were no conditions that could reduce the risk he posed.
The Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has been approached for comment.
Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police officers raided a home in Melbourne’s north on March 24, which the year 12 student shared with his parents and siblings.
Arresting officers discovered a cache of extremist material on the boy’s USB, phone and computer, the court heard.
He was previously charged with one count of collecting or manufacturing documents facilitating a terrorist act and one count of importing a prohibited substance.
The young man’s files are said to include several bomb-making manuals, including an al-Qaeda video showing a man in a balaclava instructing viewers on how to make TNT, as well as a step-by-step guide to detonating devices.
The teenager is accused of using Apple Maps to find nearby synagogues and regularly searching Melbourne’s busiest intersections.
He allegedly visited several IS and al-Qaeda supporters websites and stored pro-IS material on his phone, and is accused of actively seeking out antisemitic material.
The judge said the report of a psychiatrist and an extremism expert contributed to his decision to grant bail to the accused.
“His work clearly identifies (the youth’s) needs,” the judge said. “They don’t recognize them in the abstract, but how they relate to any danger to society.”
The psychiatrist noted the alleged behavior of the young man supported the legitimate concern that he had been working against the terrorist violence of the actor alone. However, the psychiatrist said there was no evidence of violence occurring.
“From what I’ve seen of the material and the search, I think he was, more, in the research stage of what he might have been thinking of doing … as opposed to gathering material or any of those kinds of steps,” the expert told the court.
He said the young man’s undiagnosed autism and social isolation, among other identity issues, made him vulnerable to terrorist material.
The psychiatrist found effective treatment would include an engagement with a psychologist to work out why the accused had access to the material, the court heard.
As part of his bail conditions, the teenager has been ordered to avoid all synagogues and busy intersections in Melbourne’s CBD.
In a previous case, the court heard that days after the teenager was arrested, he told another inmate he could teach him how to make explosives to “blow up all of Melbourne”.
In a letter written to the court while in custody, the young man said he had committed “serious mistakes”.
He described his time in juvenile detention as difficult, and that it forced him to reflect on his behavior. He added that he regretted the grief he had caused his parents and he missed his family.
Various expert witnesses explained that the young man’s family had a lot of support who had already been involved in youth rights issues. Several social organizations and youth schools had also offered their support.
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Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. What? do you have a tip Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Waves.Connect through X or email address.
