Teen Allegedly Plotted Attack on Cops With Kangaroo Bomb

Aussie prosecutors say he was inspired by ISIS
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 28, 2016 11:22 AM CST
Teen Allegedly Plotted Attack on Cops With Kangaroo Bomb
An unusual ISIS-themed plot: blowing up a kangaroo.   (Shutterstock)

April 25 is usually a day of solemn remembrance in Australia for those who've taken part in the country's wars, but this year's ceremonies may have come perilously close to being marred by a teen bent on terror. Prosecutors say 19-year-old Sevdet Besim plotted an attack to take place on Anzac Day in Melbourne, reports NBC News, and based on intercepted communications he had with another teen overseas, Besim had an unusual idea for carrying out his plot. "They have a general discussion around animals and wildlife in Australia, including a suggestion that a kangaroo could be packed with C4 explosive, painted with the [ISIS] symbol, and set loose on police officers," says a prosecution summary presented in court Thursday, reports Australia's ABC network.

And the C4-rigged 'roo wasn't the only chaos that Besim—who pleaded not guilty to four charges of planning a terrorist act—apparently had in mind: Prosecutors say he also meant to run over and behead a police officer, the Melbourne Age reports. "I'd love to take out some cops," he allegedly said during the March 2015 talk with the other teen, adding, per the ABC: "Main thing I guess is that I send the dog to hell." Besim also is said to have conducted Internet searches in February using search terms such as "Anzac day parade 2015" and "Melbourne Anzac Day 2015." Besim has been in custody since a large-scale police raid in April. (The FBI thinks this Kent State professor may have ISIS ties.)

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