Gunman Who Intruded into Australian Parliament Office Charged with Terrorism

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - An Australian man has been charged with terrorism offences after entering a politician's office with a plan to kill him.

The 19-year-old man entered the office of New South Wales state MP Tim Crakanthorp in Newcastle, about 170 km (105 miles) north of Sydney, on Wednesday, June 26, before being arrested at a nearby museum with weapons and tactical gear.

He was held overnight and charged today with "acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act", police said, as reported by Reuters on Thursday, June 27.

In a hearing where the man appeared via video link, acting magistrate Anthony Spence told the court the man was charged with entering Crakanthorp's office "with the intent to kill him because of his status as a member of parliament (and) in preparation for planning a terrorist attack", the ABC reported.

A court representative identified the accused as Jordan Patten, saying Patten had not applied for bail and had been formally refused. Patten has not been asked to enter a plea.

A police statement said the accused had circulated documents to community leaders and the media, without providing further details.

The ABC and Herald reported Patten had shared a 200-page manifesto detailing a range of grievances including anti-immigration views and anti-diversity.

Crakanthorp, meanwhile, said he and his staff were not injured in what he called a very serious incident.

Patten is next due in court on Aug. 21, court officials said.