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Teenager cleared of plotting terror attack on Peter Dutton

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A teenager accused of plotting terror attacks against former Australian politician Peter Dutton and a Labour Day march has been found not guilty.
  • The jury deliberated for two days before returning the verdict in the Supreme Court of Brisbane.
  • The defense argued the teen was a "troubled kid" experimenting with ideas and beliefs, and that his actions were an "edgy joke" rather than a genuine plan for terrorism.

A teenager, whose identity is protected by law, has been acquitted of preparing for a terrorist act after being accused of plotting nailbomb attacks. The jury in Brisbane's Supreme Court found the 17-year-old not guilty on Thursday, following two days of deliberations.

I think I’ve gained an autistic interest in bombs but it’s going to be tough to shake it off

— The teenWritten in a diary entry presented to the court.

The trial heard that the teen, who was nearly 16 at the time of the alleged offenses in July 2024, had purchased nails, metal pipes, and explosive ingredients. Prosecutors presented evidence including text messages, online posts, and diary entries detailing the teen's fascination with infamous terrorists and fictional violent scenarios. He had reportedly searched for Peter Dutton's location and communicated with a friend about targeting Liberal party members.

He was a troubled kid. He was experimenting not only with explosives but with ideas and beliefs

— Laura ReeceThe defense barrister's closing statement to the jury.

However, the defense team argued that the central issue was the teen's state of mind. His barrister, Laura Reece, portrayed him as a "troubled kid" experimenting with dangerous materials and extremist ideologies from various online sources. Reece contended that the teen's text messages about bombing the Labour Day parade were an "edgy joke" and that he was grappling with mental health issues and his parents' separation.

He was seeking out extremist material from wildly contradictory sources from the dark corners of the internet.

— Laura ReeceDescribing the teen's online activities during her closing statement.

The prosecution, led by Sally Flynn, had alleged that the planned bombings aimed to draw attention to arguments against modern industry and technology. The jury also heard about the teen's obsession with characters from the video game Red Dead Redemption 2. The verdict was met with gasps and tears from the teen's family in the courtroom.

Members of the Liberal party

— The teenReplying to a friend's question about who he was trying to kill.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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