PhD Student Arrested Over Alleged Australia Day Terror Plot
Synopsis
A gifted student with a robotics background has been arrested for allegedly plotting to firebomb an Australia Day event on the Gold Coast. The 24-year-old planned to use the attack as a trigger for revolution, prosecutors say, to replace the current government with one run by artificial intelligence. Police obtained material for the attack after a member of the public reported concerning posts online. A court in Brisbane last week refused his application for bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged plans.
A young man was arrested after being overheard planning to attack people at Australia Day events, police said. The intended attack was to be carried out by Sepehr Saryazdi, a 24-year-old student who allegedly planned to throw a firebomb at crowds on the Gold Coast next Monday. He wanted to use the event as a springboard for a large-scale protest that would lead to a change in how the country is governed, court documents said. Police arrested him earlier this week after a person reported seeing disturbing comments he reportedly made on social media.
The student was said to have been purchasing materials, including alcohol and blankets, for constructing weapons. Prosecutors say he issued public posts online claiming he would be leading “riots” in the popular tourist strip and encouraged others in different cities to do so. The news shocked the community, which normally sees thousands of families flock to the Gold Coast for their summer holiday.
Proposed New Forms of Government
The motive behind the reported attack makes this case particularly unusual. Saryazdi is a high-achieving student who has studied complex math and robotics at prestigious universities. Police said he had written documents describing a future in which artificial intelligence and data, not people, would make key decisions for society. He reportedly believed the current government was becoming unfair and wanted to provoke change by making a national news event.
In court, it emerged that the young man had been living a lonely life and had grown distant from his family. His lawyer said he had become overwhelmed by online videos and believed he needed to act in response to the state of the world. His lawyer argued he never truly intended to harm anyone, only that he was “misguided”, but the court was concerned about the violent nature of the messages he allegedly sent to others.
Bail Denied as Investigation Continues
A judge in Brisbane ruled it was too risky to release the student from custody ahead of his trial. The court heard he allegedly told police he expected to die during the attack and had offered advice on social media about learning to use weapons. Based on those extreme statements and the materials found, the judge decided he posed too high a risk to be released.
In the meantime, the young man will remain in custody while police continue their investigation. He is due back in court in late February. Police added that there have been no other direct threats made toward Australia Day events and urged the public to enjoy the celebrations safely while they continue to monitor the situation closely.
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