Police are now treating the throwing of an explosive device, packed with nails and ball bearings, into an “Invasion Day” crowd in Perth as a potential act of terrorism.
A 31-year-old man from the northern Perth suburb of Warwick has been arrested and charged with intent to do harm in such a way as to endanger life, health or safety, and with making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
He remains in custody and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Feb. 17, when further charges may be laid.
Police are investigating whether there was a political, religious or ideological motive to the attack, which is a requirement for terror charges.
They allege he “removed an item from his bag and threw it into the crowd from a first-floor walkway before fleeing the scene.”
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told journalists that it would, when detonated, “have caused nails and ball bearings to eject at a high rate of speed, causing injury to people. Suffice to say, that device—the item, the bomb or IED, whatever people want to call it—was destructive to human injury and life.”
He said that man “sought to ignite a fuse ... but for whatever reason it hasn’t lit, and it hasn’t detonated, but it is explosive compounds.”
When it was thrown into the crowd, bystanders picked it up and handed it to the officers present at the event. About 20 minutes later, police came onto the stage and told onlookers they had to leave.
The investigation has since been taken over by the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA JCTT), which includes WA Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Speaking to reporters on Jan. 27, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said police should “throw the book” at the man.
He said the incident was “quite shocking,” but he could not comment further as “the matter is now before the courts.”
“I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full force of the law,” he said.
Police have assured people that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
The Perth attack wasn’t the only incident involving explosives targeting Jan. 26.
He had bought bottles of alcohol, wrapping paper and a blanket, and said in a Facebook chat that he'd be “leading the Gold Coast riots” that day.
He has been charged with the preparation of or planning for a terrorist act and will remain in custody until he faces court on Feb. 20.
