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Autistic Teenager Sentenced for Terror Offences; Parents File Discrimination Lawsuit Against AFP

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Teenager Sentenced for Terror Offences; Parents Sue AFP Over Covert Operation

An 18-year-old man, identified in court by the pseudonym Thomas Carrick, has been sentenced in the Children's Court for terror-related offences. Separately, his parents have initiated legal proceedings against the Australian Federal Police (AFP), alleging discrimination.

The cases stem from a 2021 covert police operation and subsequent online activities.

Sentencing and Conditions

The teenager pleaded guilty to two charges: publishing violent extremist material via a carriage service and threatening violence against a religious group. Two other charges were dropped.

Magistrate Julie O'Donnell imposed a 12-month supervised release order. The conditions of the order include:

  • Fortnightly court attendance for judicial monitoring
  • Weekly appointments with a forensic psychologist
  • A ban on weapons
  • Restricted internet use, supervised by a parent or approved person
  • A prohibition on contacting the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation
  • A prohibition on being within 200 metres of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's synagogue
  • A restriction on mobile phone use between 10pm and 8am

The magistrate described the order as the "highest level" the children's court can impose.

The teenager had already spent 357 days in custody. Both the prosecution and defence agreed he should be released.

Risk Factors: A psychologist reported that while in custody, the teenager's fixation shifted from ISIS to women, including misogynistic writings. The magistrate expressed concern regarding this fixation and stated, "At the end of the day the primary risk factor has to be his conduct on social media."

Details of the Offences

The offences involved posting Islamic State material on Instagram and sending an email to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation threatening violence. The email threatened a shooting and included a statement about burning and killing Jewish people.

The 2021 Covert Operation (Operation Bourglinster)

In 2021, when the teenager was 13, an undercover AFP agent initiated online conversations with him for 55 days. The agent used two personas, discussed ISIS and violent extremism, and used racist language.

A magistrate in that earlier case permanently stayed the original charges, ruling that the AFP had "groomed" him and "encouraged" his fixation on ISIS. The magistrate stated that the operation escalated the teenager's risk of committing a terrorist act and that rehabilitation was undermined by the covert operative befriending him.

AFP Position: AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney stated in a 2024 Senate committee that he would authorize a similar operation again, citing the threat level.

Discrimination Lawsuit

The teenager's parents have initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court against the AFP, alleging discrimination based on age and disability during the 2021 covert operation. The Australian Human Rights Commission accepted the complaint, but the AFP declined conciliation. The case is proceeding to the Federal Court.

The parents argue that the operation and its aftermath contributed to their son's later offending. They have called for an independent review of counterterrorism measures and de-radicalisation programs.

Parent Statements:

  • The teenager's mother said the AFP operation "wounded our family" and that her son "wasn't a terrorist, he had a fixation."
  • The teenager's father stated the AFP should "repair" the harm and establish independent oversight.

Legal and Medical Background

The court heard that the teenager has diagnoses of autism, ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder, and borderline intellectual functioning (IQ of 71). His lawyer argued that his fixation on ISIS was a product of his disabilities and that his threats were "not genuine indicators of violence."

The magistrate acknowledged the teenager's complicated disabilities and that psychologists viewed his communications as attention-seeking rather than settled threats.

She noted that the improper behaviour of law enforcement in the earlier case had affected him, but deemed the recent offending serious.

Timeline of Events

  • December 2020: The teenager first came to police attention when a health department reported he viewed extremist material on school devices and made threats.
  • April 2021: The teenager's parents contacted Victoria Police, concerned about his ISIS-related activity.
  • April–October 2021: Victoria Police enrolled the teenager in a Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) rehabilitation program. Three months later, the AFP covert operation began.
  • October 2024: The teenager and his family were detained and deported from Singapore airport. The AFP stated it was not involved. The teenager's parents say his mental health deteriorated after this event.
  • Current Sentencing: The magistrate imposed the 12-month supervision order.

Victim Impact

A member of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation reported increased vigilance and changed behavior, including altering walking routes, following the threats.