Teen charged over ‘Christchurch 2.0’ threat to mosque
A 16-year-old boy allegedly threatened to recreate New Zealand’s worst mass shooting at a Sydney mosque.
A teenage boy has been charged after allegedly making online threats to a recently opened mosque that referred to a notorious and deadly terrorist attack on Muslims.
The 16-year-old was arrested in Western Australia after allegedly posting he would “Christchurch 2.0” the Australian Islamic House at Edmondson Park in southwestern Sydney.
The alleged threat alluded to the New Zealand city where an Australian man killed 51 worshippers in a 2019 terror attack.
Western Australian police reportedly swooped on a teenage boy on Tuesday night in Eaton, about two hours south of Perth.
“Following a referral to the Western Australia Police Force just before 5pm (Tuesday WA local time), a 16-year-old boy was arrested at Eaton, in south-west Western Australia,” NSW Police said late on Tuesday.
“He is currently assisting police with inquiries.”
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Police said there were no ongoing threats to the community.
The mosque at Edmondson Park in Sydney’s west opened on Friday, the first day of Ramadan.
Australian Islamic House president Mazhar Hadid said the community was “profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness”.
“We also urge the public to remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said whoever was responsible for the abhorrent threat should face the full force of the law.
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“There is no place for this in Australia… racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the threat was being taken seriously and a major police investigation had begun.
“Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said.
“This is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan.”
NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper described the threat as heinous.
“Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society,” he said.
“Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community.”
Australian Islamic House said nightly prayers would continue after it had been assured of an increased police presence.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the community unequivocally condemned the threat.
“A bigoted attack or threat targeted at any group of Australians is an attack on us all,” he said.
“No Australian should have to fear for their safety when attending their place of worship.”
NSW Police said initial inquiries had revealed the threat came from interstate.
