Australia: Terrorist suspect arrested

A 20-year-old man suspected of plotting a terrorist attack in Melbourne (South Australia) on New Year's Eve has been arrested, police say.

"The detainee is suspected of being involved (…) in planning a terrorist attack in Melbourne on New Year's Eve," police in Victoria said.

The young suspect, who was arrested during a police operation in Waribi, is being questioned and will be brought before a judge. Police are continuing their investigation, however, they have clarified that they do not expect any further arrests. He said the threat against Melbourne had been "brought under control".

Australian authorities, who have long expressed concern about extremist attacks, had raised their alert level in September 2014 to the threat of terrorism, especially from Australians traveling to the Middle East to fight jihadist or extremist groups. .

They say they have prevented 13 attacks in recent years, including an operation planned for downtown Melbourne last Christmas by suspects inspired by Islamic State (IS) activity.

Another recently foiled attack plan, also on behalf of the IK, aimed to crash a passenger plane using either poison gas or an improvised explosive device.
In December 2014, a hostage in a Sydney cafe killed two women abducted by a gunman, as well as the perpetrator.