'Exploding' kangaroo part of alleged Australian terrorist attack: police

(Xinhua)      Updated : 2016-01-29

MELBOURNE - A Melbourne teenager accused of plotting a terrorist attack allegedly planned to pack a kangaroo with explosives and set it loose on police officers.

Sevdet Ramadan Besim, 19, of Hallam in Melbourne's southeast, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to four charges related to planning a terrorist attack in Melbourne that would have included a beheading.

A committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday heard that Besim had a person overseas he had been in constant contact with in regards to a terrorist attack.

Besim allegedly said that he was "ready to fight these dogs on there (sic) doorstep," in communications with the person overseas.

"I'd love to take out some cops," he wrote.

"I was gonna meet with them then take some heads ahaha."

In the prosecution's summary of the case, police allege that Besim spoke to his overseas contact on March 16 last year, during which the idea of packing a kangaroo with explosives was raised.

"The conversation continues with Besim what he did that day and they have a gene discussion around animals and wildlife in Australia, including a suggestion that a kangaroo could be packed with a C4 explosive, painted with the IS (Islamic State) symbol and let loose on police officers," the summary said.

It is alleged that Besim had planned an attack to take place on Anzac Day last year, a national day of remembrance that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars.

Besim has been held in custody since 200 armed police officers made five arrests in Melbourne's southeast on April 18 last year, seizing knives and swords.

Besim was committed to stand trial in Melbourne's Supreme Court.