Teenage 'right wing extremist', 18, arrested on terror offences in his suburban NSW home was allegedly sharing 'mass shooting' propaganda online and had tried to buy weapons to make a homemade bomb
An 18-year-old with 'extreme right-wing ideology' is expected to be charged with terrorism offences after he allegedly indicated plans for an attack on Australian soil.
The teenager, from Albury on the NSW and Victoria border, was arrested at his suburban home and shoved into a police van on Wednesday morning.
An investigation was launched in August after investigators 'became aware of online posts containing extreme right wing ideology' - fearing the teenager may be plotting an attack.
Police noticed the teenager's tone in his controversial online posts had escalated and he attempted to access weapons and instructions to make a homemade bomb online.
NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team arrests 18-year-old Albury man on Wednesday
Police claimed a number of mainstream social media platforms were being used by the teenager, including closed groups that he used to share extremist content.
Investigators allege he used social media forums and apps throughout the year to 'encourage people to commit violent acts in furtherance of an extreme right wing ideology'.
A post in the early hours of Wednesday morning was especially concerning to police as he showed support for a 'mass shooting that occurred internationally'.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Scott Lee told reporters he 'showed support for a mass casualty event and potentially his involvement in that international event'.
While it wasn't Christchurch, Mr Lee said the individual did post support for 'the individual who was involved in the Christchurch shooting'.
The 18-year-old's posts allegedly indicated his willingness to commit a violent and criminal act.
They claim the teenager 'is focused on neo-Nazi, white supremacist, anti-Semitic material'.
Mr Lee said NSW JCTT investigators were concerned about the man's actions and police made the decision to act early to ensure community safety.
An 18-year-old has been arrested at his home and is expected to be charged with terrorism offences
An investigation was launched by a joint task force in August involving the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force after they became aware of online posts containing extreme right wing ideology
'The sole aim of today's activity was to ensure the safety of the community by preventing further planning, preparations or advocacy by this man that could have resulted in an attack in Australia,' he said.
'The investigation into this matter remains ongoing, but we remain wary about the speed with which lone actors can progress from online activities to ones that impact the real world.'
NSW Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton, said there was no place for a person's extremist views in the community.
'The NSW JCTT will continue to work together to ensure the community is protected from those who seek to do us harm, and those who think they can exploit the online environment to spread their extremist ideologies.
Police told media a number of mainstream social media platforms were being used by the teenager , including closed groups that he used to share extremist content
Police noticed the teenager's tone in his online posts had escalated and he attempted to access weapons and instructions to make a homemade bomb online (pictured, his arrest)
'If we see activity that concerns us – as we have during the course of this investigation – we will act swiftly to ensure that activity does not escalate.'
Mr Walton urged the community to continue to report anything they see online.
The teenager is expected to be charged with one count of urging violence against members or groups and one count of advocating terrorism.
The maximum penalty for the first charge is seven years imprisonment, while it is five years for the second charge.
In a video of the teenager's arrest, police are seen approaching a suburban house with multiple cars parked in the driveway.
The 18-year-old is then escorted out of the home by two officers with a black hoodie over his head.
The teenager is currently being held at Albury Police Station and is expected to be charged with terrorism-related offences.