A 16-year-old Australian student has pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist act, admitting he became radicalized through online content and plotted to bomb the Sydney Opera House during the city's marathon.
The teenager, whose identity is protected by law, detailed his descent into extremism in a sentence hearing, describing how he was exposed to increasingly violent Islamic extremist material online starting in 2024 when he was 14. His initial interest was in historical accounts of conquests, but this evolved into viewing content related to the aftermath of 9/11 and Islamic State propaganda.
He began communicating with individuals on the encrypted app Telegram about his desire to learn about committing terrorism, finding the interactions interesting and a way to connect with a new group of people. The court heard he researched targeting the Sydney Opera House, an iconic landmark that serves as the finish line for the Sydney Marathon, aiming for maximum impact.
His motivation, he told the court, stemmed from a belief that "the country I am living in helped America evade Iraq and Afghanistan and killed many Muslims." The plan was inspired by the 2013 Boston Marathon attack, where two bombs detonated at the finish line, killing three people and injuring over 500.
Despite detailed planning, the boy testified that he was only "50:50" about whether he would carry out the attack, citing a "little voice" in his head that warned him of the consequences for himself and his family.
He has since disavowed the views he once held and expressed remorse in the NSW Supreme Court, stating, "I'm deeply sorry for the things I did. Please show me some remorse."
His defense attorney argued for a non-custodial sentence, allowing the teenager to continue his deradicalization efforts within the community. He has been on strict home detention bail since November 2024 and has been permitted to attend supervised public events.
Crown prosecutor Sophie Callan acknowledged the teenager's candid testimony but argued that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate outcome, expressing caution due to what she described as "a level of naivety in (his) expressions of insight."
Justice Stephen Campbell is scheduled to deliver his sentence judgment on October 29.