A GROUP of men suspected of planning a terror plot to kill soldiers at a Sydney army base sought approval from an Islamic religious figure for the plan, a court has heard.
The first man charged over the conspiracy, Nayef El Sayed, has appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on a terrorism offence.
El Sayed, 25, is charged with conspiring with four men and other unknown people to do acts in preparation for an armed attack on the Australian army base at Holsworthy, in Sydney's west.
He is one of four men arrested following raids on Melbourne homes this morning.
El Sayed sat in the dock between two security officers behind glass and refused to stand when asked by magistrate Peter Reardon.
"He would decline to stand on religious grounds," his lawyer Anthony Brand said, adding his client would not stand for anyone but God.
El Sayed did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear in court in late October.
6 авг 2024
