BONDI BEACH – Seven men detained by heavily armed police in southwest Sydney amid fears of a potential violent attack were released Friday, saying the dramatic operation was a misunderstanding and that they were targeted because they are Muslim.
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Sydney Morning Herald reports the men, aged 19 to 24 and visiting from Melbourne, walked out of Liverpool police station nearly 24 hours after tactical officers intercepted their vehicles, pulled them to the ground and detained them at gunpoint. No charges were filed.
Speaking to reporters, several of the men said they were in Sydney for a holiday and had planned to drop off luggage at an Airbnb before going to the beach.
“We were just here for a swim,” one man said, adding that allegations of extremist beliefs were unfounded. Another said claims they were heading to Bondi were “nonsense” and accused authorities of racial profiling.
NSW Police said the arrests were based on intelligence suggesting a possible violent act was being planned. Senior officers alleged the men may have been influenced by extremist ideology similar to that cited in the recent Bondi Beach terror attack, though no direct link was confirmed.
Police later said the men were released “pending further investigations” and that there was no immediate threat to public safety. Authorities said the initial intervention was aimed at preventing any potential harm while evidence was reviewed.
A lawyer representing the group said the men are considering legal action over injuries and vehicle damage sustained during the arrests. He said police acted after a report that the group had referenced “Bondi 2.0,” but insisted there was no plan or intent to carry out an attack.
Video posted to social media showed tactical officers in camouflage detaining the men, some of whom were handcuffed with zip ties. One man appeared injured and later received medical treatment. Police confirmed beanbag rounds were used during the operation.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the justification for continued detention no longer existed after further review, while Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson defended the operation as necessary given heightened concerns following the Bondi attack.
Premier Chris Minns said authorities could not afford to take risks in the current security environment and praised police for acting swiftly when a potential threat was identified.
Investigations remain ongoing.
The Muslims referenced “bondi 2.0”
Why was this a misunderstanding.
Sound like the cops either wanted to look like they were doing something, or the government is trying to make the Jews look bigoted and racist by extension
this is a known tactic after an event like Bondi Beach. have suspicious Muslims go to the area, who then get scrutinized or detained by the authorities, but they don’t have any thing to make them guilty of anything, which makes the authorities look bad, and cause them to stop being careful and vigilant
Muslims are already guilty till proven innocent . Even the “peaceful” ones support globalize the intifada. That means they support murder.. on top of that these guys said more