Man arrested at Young, NSW for allegedly researching missiles for Islamic State
Updated
A 42-year-old man has been arrested in relation to alleged terrorism offences at Young, west of Canberra, having allegedly tried to assist the Islamic State group to develop missiles.
According to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the man had "sought to advise" the Islamic State group on how to develop high-tech weapons.
Haisem Zahab was arrested this morning in front of his family.
Police confirmed children were present at the time.
Mr Turnbull said the arrest was not linked to any immediate terror threat.
"Police will allege that this individual, in a regional centre, acted with intent to provide ISIL with the ... technical capability, and high-tech capability, to detect and develop missiles," Mr Turnbull said.
"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities.
"The evidence uncovered to date does not involve immediate domestic attack planning."
Zahab allegedly researched high-tech weapons
Zahab is an Australian-born citizen, and had allegedly been in contact with networks linked to the terrorist group.
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said Zahab, who was trained as an electrician, had worked to develop long-range missile capabilities for the terrorist group.
His arrest came at the end of an 18-month operation.
"We will allege he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL," Commissioner Colvin said.
"Firstly, by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming guiding munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq.
"Secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISIL's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities."
Commissioner Colvin said Zahab's research was "fairly sophisticated".
He appeared in Young Local Court this afternoon, charged with two foreign incursion offences, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
He also faces one charge of failing to comply with an order to assist access to data.
He did not apply for bail and will reappear next week at Parramatta Local Court.
Topics: terrorism, police-sieges, crime, law-crime-and-justice, young-2594, nsw, canberra-2600, act, australia
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