Court Refuses To Reveal Identity Of Melbourne Teenager Charged For Planning Terrorist Attack

A Melbourne boy, facing charges related to planning an alleged terror attack, was remanded in custody. Meanwhile, an appeal to reveal his identity was rejected.

The teenage boy was arrested during a raid on Friday. The teenager was charged with engaging in an act in preparation for, or planning a terrorist act. According to police allegations, the boy had plans to detonate three improvised explosive devices found at his house. The explosives are believed to have been kept for using at an upcoming event in Melbourne.

The boy did not apply for bail at the moment. However, his lawyer indicated that a bail application would come later on.

The boy is believed to be a school dropout. He has been known to be posting regular posts on social media about extremist political ideologies. While the boy cannot be identified for legal reasons, the media has demanded that the identity of the boy should be revealed.

Lawyer Justin Quill argued that it was an unusual matter of the highest public interest so it should be reported in the fullest. Quill also said that parents should know complete details of the case. This will help them understand the case and have better knowledge about how to talk to their children on the issue. However, the application was rejected.

The judge said that revealing the identity of the boy would not be “beneficial to his mental health and physical health.” He said that it was still a pretty early stage of legal proceedings.

Victoria Police, meanwhile, assured that there was no threat for the public to be concerned of. "People should be assured that Victoria Police, working closely with the Australian Federal Police and other agencies, are doing their very best to keep Victorians safe and that's what we've done thus far," Acting Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said.

Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright, on the other hand, said that the community should remain alert. "If you do see anything suspicious, if you see young people taking an unusual interest in what would normally be household devices, electrical batteries, chemicals, then you need to be concerned," he said.

According to Cartwright, the teenager was initially facing the children’s court. However, he said that the boy could face an adult court later.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au