A CSIRO PhD candidate accused of planning to use petrol bombs in the Australia Day Gold Coast terror attack has been denied bail.
Sepal Saryazdi appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday after being charged with preparing or planning a terrorist act.
During a bail application, the court heard that the 24-year-old had come to the attention of counter-terrorism officers after receiving information about what he had allegedly posted online.
Federal prosecutor Ellie McDonald said in court that the charges relate to Facebook Messenger chats within a private group of more than 50 people.
“The defendant had planned to lead a riot on the Gold Coast on Australia Day, which included the use of petrol bombs, and had purchased supplies and equipment to do so.”
she said.
Ms McDonald told the court she had encouraged others to do the same.
“He said, ‘If you know people in Melbourne, I’m going to be leading the charge on the Gold Coast riots on January 26th, please let them know so they can buy bottles of vodka early and stock up in bulk,'” she said.
“He also said, ‘If you are arrested, the important thing is to remain calm and collected. During interrogation, remind yourself that what you did was purely logical given the current trajectory of this country.'”
Mr MacDonald told the court that he also told members of the group: “We need to convince the police to question their worldview and quit their jobs.”
Sepal Saryazdi is charged with one count of preparing or planning a terrorist act. (Provided by: LinkedIn)
The court heard that in another post, Mr Saryazdi allegedly said: “Before I leave the battlefield on January 26, I have a few wishes in case I die.”
“The defendant then outlined his wishes to the Australian government and society,” Ms McDonald said.
Saryazdi is also said to have told the group, “I imagine that as soon as we succeed in overthrowing the government, ASIO will try to kill me or kiss the wall with a lobotomy.”
Mr MacDonald told the court he also encouraged group members to learn “how to shoot guns at the range”, apply for jobs with ASIO and the Defense Forces and then “start an internal campaign to crush tyranny”.
“Given the unique circumstances of what has happened recently, it is obviously very concerning.”
she said.
Ms MacDonald opposed bail, arguing that there was an apparent “significant risk that she would commit acts of violence if released into society”.
“Given his mental state, there are no mitigating conditions for someone who is willing to die in pursuit of his ideology,” she said.
“It wasn’t his attention to hurt anyone.”
Defense barrister Helen Shilton told the court her client was an academic who had moved to Brisbane from Sydney for a career with the CSIRO but was isolated.
“He’s become a little influenced by the new people he’s dating,” she says.
Shilton told the court that Saryazdi was interested in geopolitics and “started watching videos and protests” and became “emotionally overwhelmed”.
“He felt he should do something and draw attention to the direction of the world and government.”
she said.
“He was never concerned about hurting anyone.”
Mr Shilton told the court his client’s intention was to make “national news” and “bring people together” following his disillusionment with the government.
Judge Penelope Hay refused bail, acknowledging that he had openly admitted his beliefs that the Australian government was authoritarian and that he wanted to replace it with a cybernetic government.
She realized that the risk of seriously injuring multiple people was too great.
He was remanded in custody and will be brought back to court next month.