Parramatta killer communicated with top ISIS recruiter: reports
Teenage gunman Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar was reportedly in communication with Neil Prakash, Australia's top recruiter for the Islamic State group, in the months before he shot dead a Sydney police accountant.
The 15-year-old was also in contact with two other men linked to Prakash this year including British fighter Raphael Hostey, the recruiter's offsider in Syria, according to a News Corp report on Wednesday.
Prakesh, also know as Abu Khalid al-Cambodi, features on US terrorism watch lists after being linked to efforts to encourage attacks on Western countries including Australia.
Messages between Jabar and Prakash dating back to May apparently focus on their shared complaints about Australia's security laws.
The Australian reports that, despite his contact with the men, Jabar planned his October 2 attack the Parramatta police headquarters along.
Parramatta gunman's final moments revealed in exclusive video
'If you don't like it, leave it': Parramatta mosque chairman says
Teen from same school as Parramatta gunman arrested over social media threat
The reports come as police continue to work to understand what led the 15-year-old to plan and carry out the murder of police worker Curtis Cheng on the streets outside of the police station.
According to the most recent reports, police believe the young killer may have been radicalised in a short period of time.
It now appears he may have been exposed to radical individuals online for months before the attack, which left the boy dead after a shootout with special police constables.
The fall out from Jabar’s now notorious attack has led the Australian Government to consider a new round of changes to its anti-terrorism plans.
Under the newest proposed changes to counter-terrorism laws, control orders could be applied to children as young as 14 who are suspected of terrorism offences. Children subject to such orders can be arrested and held without charge for extended periods.
Currently control orders cannot be applied to anyone younger than 16.
Civil liberties groups have already voiced concerns about the proposed changes, as has Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who said Australia must be careful not to ostracise young people.
The announcement of the new laws on Monday night came after NSW Premier Mike Baird wrote to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull calling for the control-order age to be lowered following the Parramatta shooting.
Attorney-General George Brandis said he is comfortable with 14-year-olds being detained without charge, pointing to the October 2 killing.
"Sadly, the Parramatta shooting shows that people younger than 16 are capable of being inspired to commit terrorist crimes and the law must reflect this reality," Senator Brandis told AAP.
Morning news break – October 14
