Five jailed for terror plot targeting government sites including AFP building and Lithgow jail
The leader of a terror plot targeting government sites in NSW, including a Sydney police building, has been sentenced to a maximum jail term of more than 22 years.
Sulayman Khalid is among six co-conspirators who pleaded guilty to offences connected to a six-week conspiracy in 2014.
Five of these offenders, including a juvenile, have been sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court today.
The plot included discussions about targeting the Australian Federal Police building in Sydney, as well as the Lithgow jail.
Khalid, described as a “devout terrorist” and the leader of the conspiracy plot by Justice Geoffrey Bellew, was sentenced to a maximum term of 22 years and six months.
Justice Bellew said firearms and ammunition were acquired and there was nothing amateurish about what was planned
[Khalid] was corrupted by a dangerous, violent and perverted ideology, to which he unequivocally subscribed, which he wore as a badge of honour, but has no place in a civilised society.”
In an appearance on the SBS program Insight in 2014, Khalid said Islamic State only wanted to bring justice, peace and humanitarian aid to the people.
Videos recorded by Khalid and put on YouTube were described today as “confronting and threatening” by the judge.
Justice Bellew told the court Khalid disguised himself as a preacher of peaceful religious philosophy and his actions cannot be described as an aberration.
“I’m satisfied that Khalid was responsible for the coordination of many aspects of the activity,” Justice Bellew said.
“Khalid’s actions place him at a level above the others.”
Khalid will be eligible for parole in 2031.
‘The time is now’
In a document found by police, another of the offenders, 24-year-old Jibryl Almaouie, referred to the Lindt Cafe siege, saying: “The earlier we do things the better” and “The time is NOW!!!”.
“The killing of police and martyrdom were also discussed,” Justice Bellew said.
“What Jibryl wrote in those documents would instil fear and trepidation in anyone who read it.”
Teen got guns for attack
A teenager, who was 14 years old when the conspirators were planning their attacks, acquired guns as part of the plan.
Justice Bellew said his involvement was not a teenage burst of enthusiasm.
He described the teen as “an adherent to the ideology of violent jihad”.
“His conduct was serious, sustained and multi-faceted,” he said.
Justice Bellew said although Khalid had some influence over the teen, who is now 17, he did not accept the suggestion that he was targeted and groomed.
The teenager’s sentence was 13-and-a-half years, with a minimum 10 years and one month.
Jibryl Almaouie received a total sentence of 18 years and 10 months, with a minimum term of 14 years and two months.
Mohamed Almaouie and Farhad Said pleaded guilty to making documents connected to preparation for terrorism.
They received minimum terms of six years and nine months, and seven years and one month respectively.
Ibrahim Ghazzawy previously received a minimum term of six years and four months jail for his involvement.
