Police are investigating the alleged firebombing of a Melbourne defence manufacturer as an act of far-left extremist terror carried out by an pro-Palestine group.
Investigators from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) said on Wednesday the alleged attack was potentially orchestrated by leftist terrorists with “anarchist and revolutionary ideologies”, and released images of the suspects.
The black-clad suspects allegedly targeted Lovitt Technologies in Greensborough at 3.55am on July 5 last year, vandalising the business and setting multiple vehicles alight before fleeing on e-bikes, the JCCT said.
The JCCT alleges masked members of the group then claimed responsibility for the attack in a video posted online where they “voiced their opposition to the Australian Government” and advised how to create an incendiary device similar to the one used in the firebombing.
The video shows members of the group standing in front of a Palestinian flag, with aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags also on display.
The terror group also expressed support for Palestine, and allegedly targeted the business in the belief it was part of a broader Australian Defence Force supply chain.
Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Anthony Hall said investigators were on the verge of making arrests, and said the attack was a serious crime.
“We clearly have some information about these alleged offenders and are focused on identifying who they are,’’ he said.
“At any time, we could be knocking on the door of the accused group. We know this is making some in the group anxious – and it should, because we are determined to bring them before the courts.
“These alleged offenders could be facing a significant term of imprisonment.
“We cannot overstate the seriousness of this criminality and the AFP, together with our partners, will not tolerate acts of terror motivated by extremist ideologies aiming to cause fear and anguish in our community.”
Victoria Police Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Wheatfill said the suspected far-left terror attack put the whole community at risk.
“That anyone would use such violent and dangerous methods to express a political or social viewpoint is unacceptable,” he said.
“Fire is dangerous and unpredictable and criminal offending of this nature – which has the potential to significantly impact our community and lead to deaths or serious injury – will not be tolerated.”
The JCCT said the perpetrators could be charged with multiple terror offences, and faced life imprisonment.
Last year a “transgender” Sri Lankan far-left extremist avoided jail for setting off a bomb inside Melbourne’s Land Forces Expo, and was not charged with terror offences despite having 28 more homemade incendiary devices in his home.
The JCCT probe comes after Trump officials warned Australia and other allies to start combating Antifa and other violent far-left groups that pose a threat of “political terrorism”, saying the threat of left-wing terror was being underestimated.
Header image: Left, right, the suspected terrorists (AFP).
