Teenager pleads guilty to planning terrorist bombing targeting Opera House and Sydney marathon
Summary
A 16-year-old boy in New South Wales pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist bombing targeting the Sydney Opera House during the Sydney Marathon. The teenager was influenced by extremist material online and communicated with others about terrorism but now says he rejects those views and is sorry for his actions.Key Facts
- The boy is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons.
- He became interested in extremist content online starting at age 14, first seeing historical videos then violent Islamic State propaganda.
- He communicated with others on the encrypted app Telegram about terrorism plans.
- The target was the Sydney Opera House during the Sydney Marathon to cause maximum harm.
- The planning was inspired by videos of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
- He expressed mixed feelings about actually carrying out the attack and said a voice in his head discouraged him.
- The teenager now disavows extremist views and seeks forgiveness.
- His lawyer asked for no jail time so he can continue deradicalisation, while the prosecutor argued custody is needed.
- A judge will decide the sentence on 29 October.
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