A man who tried to light bushfires in Humevale as part of religiously-motivated terror attacks has been jailed for eight years.
The man, now aged 22, was sentenced by the Supreme Court on October 10 for being a member of Islamic State, a declared terrorist organisation, and for acts done in preparation for a terrorist act.
He must serve a non-parole period of six years.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), comprising of members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), charged the man on March 17, 2021, as part of Operation Loonbeek.
The man was arrested and charged after an investigation was launched following two separate attempts in early 2021 to light fires in a heavily treed area in Humevale, near the Whittlesea township, using petrol and fire starters.
These attempts to start a bushfire were filmed and messages accompanying the videos included religiously motivated extremist propaganda in support of Islamic State, the Victorian JCTT said in a statement.
During the course of the Operation Loonbeek investigation, the man purchased a knife and self-recorded a pledge of allegiance to Islamic State.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of membership of a terrorist organisation.
On November 8, 2023, a jury found the man guilty of one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.
AFP Detective acting Superintendent Glenn Tankard said the matter was another example of the effectiveness and cooperation between agencies within the Victorian JCTT.
“The national JCTT model continues to ensure the safety of the community through partnerships that identify, investigate and disrupt criminal behaviour,” he said.
“The AFP’s number one priority will always be to keep Australians safe from those who seek to do them harm.”
Victoria Police counter terrorism command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said Victoria Police valued the partnership approach to countering acts of terrorism.
“This investigation is an excellent example of our work with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in protecting the Victorian community from harm and holding offenders to account.”
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community is urged to come forward, no matter how small or insignificant they think the information may be.
Suspicious activity can be reported to triple-0, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,or the National Security Hotline on 1800 1234 00.
