Four men charged with plotting Curtis Cheng terror attack, NSW

Detectives from the NSW Joint Counter-Terrorism Team (JCTT) today have charged four men with plotting to carry out the terror attack that claimed the life of Police employee, Curtis Cheng, NSW Police say.

On Friday 2 October, 2015, 58-year-old Mr Cheng, a senior accountant and father of two, was shot and killed as he left work at Parramatta Police Headquarters.

The 15-year-old assailant was in turn shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with Police Special Constables.

Around 8.30 this morning, Strike Force Peqin/Fellows investigators travelled to Bowral Police Station where the four suspects were formally charged with plotting the attack and additional state and commonwealth offences.

One of the men, a 20-year-old from Guildford, is also accused of facilitating the travel of the gunman’s sister to Syria on the day before the murder.

He was charged with conspiring to do act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act/s; three counts of membership of a terrorist organisation; participate in a criminal group; and providing support to a terrorist organisation.

He is already facing a charge of knowingly make funds available to terrorist organization.

A 23-year-old man from Merrylands today was charged with conspiring to do act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act/s and membership of a (non-listed) terrorist organisation.

He is already facing charges of supply pistol to unauthorized person; acquire pistol contrary to a firearms prohibition order; hinder investigation; participate in a criminal group; and membership of a terrorist organisation.

An 18-year-old man from Guildford today was charged with conspiring to do act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act/s; directing the activities of a (non-listed) terrorist organization and supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.

He is already facing charges of aid/abet/counsel/procure the commission of a terrorist act; member of a terrorist organisation and directing the activities of a criminal group.

A 22-year-old man from Marsfield today was charged with conspiring to do act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act/s and membership of a (non-listed) terrorist organisation.

He is already facing charges of knowingly participate in a criminal group; knowingly supply a pistol to unauthorised person; and member of a terrorist organization.

All four men have been remanded in custody and are expected to appear in Goulburn Local Court via videolink on Thursday 28 April.