8:19 PM 18 April 2015
Police has released three of the five men arrested in the morning raids, Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police said in a joint press release.
An 18-year-old man from Narre Warren has been released and is expected to be charged on summons with prohibited weapons offences, and the other two men from the same suburb, aged 18 and 19, have been released pending further enquiries.
An 18-year-old man from Hallam has been charged with conspiracy to commit acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts under section 101.6 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995. An 18-year-old Hampton Park man currently remains in custody. Investigation is under way.
10:21 AM 18 April 2015
Police have arrested five teenagers over an alleged terror plot to target police officers in Melbourne, including on Anzac Day.
Seven search warrants have been executed in in the South Eastern Metropolitan area, in the suburbs of Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam and Eumemmerring and five arrests were made during Operation Rising, Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police said in a joint press release.
Police said an 18-year-old Hallam man and an 18-year-old Hampton Park man were undertaking preparations for planning terrorist acts in Melbourne, which included targeting police officers. Part of their alleged planning included targeting an ANZAC Day ceremony.
A third man, an 18-year-old from Narre Warren, has been arrested in relation to weapons offences.
An additional two men, an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old both from Narre Warren, are in custody assisting police with enquiries.
“It was important for us to act early on a serious threat to our community. Safety should always be the priority and today we have acted swiftly to disrupt an attack intended to bring harm to everyday Victorians going about their business, “ said Victoria Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton.
He added that people should continue with their plans, but remain vigilant during ANZAC Day commemorations.
AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner National Security Neil Gaughan said this operation shows that police will respond quickly to disrupt the plans of those who seek to cause harm.
Searches are continuing at several addresses in the South Eastern Metropolitan area.
