Teenager charged with terrorism offences to remain behind bars
An Albury 18-year-old man charged with terrorism-related offences will remain behind bars until next year after allegedly expressing support for a mass casualty event.
Police will allege in court that Tyler Jakovac regularly used social media forums and communications applications to encourage other people to commit violent acts in furtherance of an extreme right-wing ideology.
Investigators from the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team arrested an 18-year-old Albury man on Wednesday. Credit:NSW Police Media
Days before Mr Jakovac – who police say held extreme right-wing views – was arrested on Wednesday morning, he'd allegedly expressed support for a "mass casualty event, and potentially his involvement in that event".
Unbeknownst to him, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team had been observing the Albury teenager since August.
But an alleged escalation in Mr Jakovac online behaviour this week prompted the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising of the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force, to act.
Mr Jakovac appeared in Albury Local Court on Thursday morning, charged with urging violence against members or groups, and advocating terrorism.
The two charges carry maximum penalties of seven and five years imprisonment respectively.
He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. His matter will be heard by Parramatta Local Court, in Sydney, on February 26.
"The male we've arrested has an extremely right-wing ideology and is focused on neo-Nazi, white supremacist and anti-Semitic material," Australian Federal Police counter terrorism and special investigations Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said on Wednesday.
"A couple of days ago what we observed was an escalation in the time which went towards supporting the mass casualty event, and potentially his involvement in that event.
"There was a post, I think, in the very early hours of this morning, which actually expressed support for a previous mass casualty shooting that occurred internationally."
The event is not thought to be the Christchurch shooting in New Zealand.
Assistant Commissioner Lee added the teenager also allegedly accessed bomb-making materials which he "has sought to provide to others as part of his activities to urge others to commit terrorist acts and violence against community members."
NSW Police Force counter-terrorism and special tactics commander Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said no specific attacks had been planned, but Mr Jakovac had allegedly wanted to harm those "who did not look like him."
"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," he said on Wednesday.
There is no ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
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Laura is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Josh Dye is a news reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.