Man from Sutherland arrested on Christmas Eve over alleged terror attack plans

Counter-terror police say that alleged aspiring jihadist Daniel Greenfield was allegedly well into planning a terror attack when they arrested him in Sutherland on Christmas Eve.

The 34-year-old had planned to attack police officers, government officials and other Muslims that he deemed insufficiently devout, Detective Superintendent Michael Sheehy told reporters on Friday morning.

“This individual is [allegedly] posting a significant amount of material about bombings and manufacturing explosives,” Det Supt Sheehy said.

“We will suggest he was planning to commit a terrorist attack that would be an act of violence against law enforcement.

“We are at the point where through the potential rapid escalation we needed to act now to ensure the safety of the community.”

Police raided Mr Greenfield’s home on the Kingsway on Friday, arresting him as he left his house early in the morning.

Police sources not authorised to speak on the record say that investigators from NSW’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team have seized USBs, SD cards and knives in his bedroom from the address.

Mr Greenfield was charged with knowingly collecting a document connected with terrorism and knowingly being a member of the Islamic State.

He was refused police bail to appear in court on Christmas Day.

Police sources say that Mr Greenfield was posting on Telegram, an encrypted app that has been home to various forms of extremism over the years, as well as on social media.

Police will allege he claimed to be a member of ISIS.

Police say that attempts to deradicalise Mr Greenfield, who has been known to counter-terror police since 2016, were unsuccessful.

“He refused to stay in that program and continued to promote ISIS material online.”

Police would not comment on whether Mr Greenfield was communicating with members of ISIS, was posting ISIS propaganda or both.

Source: SMH