53-Year-Old Arrested for Making Alleged Online Bomb Threats Against Islamic School

The incident follows the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in WA for making an online threat against the Australian Islamic House in Edmondson Park, Sydney.

Worshippers participate in Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, outside the Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, Australia on April 10, 2024. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

A 53-year-old man has been arrested on March 13 in connection with alleged bomb threats made against a newly opened Islamic school in southwest Sydney.

Bankstown Police Area Command launched an investigation on March 5 after detecting an online threat against the school in Lakemba.

Following inquiries, officers arrested the man at his home on Chisholm Crescent, Bradbury, at 8 a.m. on March 12.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm, as well as using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend.

The accused was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Bankstown Local Court on March 27.

Teen Arrested in WA for Religious Threats

The incident follows the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in Western Australia (WA) for allegedly making an online threat against the Australian Islamic House in Edmondson Park, Sydney.

Liverpool City Police Area Command began investigating on March 3 after receiving a report of the threat, which referenced the Christchurch terror attack of March 15, 2019, when Australian-born Brenton Tarrant carried out mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.

NSW Police referred the case to WA Police, who arrested the teenager in Eaton, southwest WA, shortly before 5 p.m. local time. He is currently assisting officers with inquiries.

Leaders Condemn Growing Hate Threats

Political leaders have unanimously condemned the threats, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to hate-fuelled violence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the threats “abhorrent” and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement in addressing racism and Islamophobia.

“Racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” he said, urging legal consequences for those responsible.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed similar sentiments, calling attacks on places of worship an “abomination” with no place in Australia.

“We should have zero tolerance for racism and hatred in all its forms,” he stated.

NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed deep concern over the threats, particularly given their timing during Ramadan.

“Muslims across the state are engaged in prayer during this sacred month,” he said, stressing that the state government remains committed to tackling religious hate.

The Minns government has faced increasing pressure to restore social harmony amid rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

NSW recently enacted laws criminalising the display of Nazi symbols and salutes, with offenders facing up to a year in prison.

Stronger penalties now apply for terror-related offences, including a minimum three-year sentence for financing terrorism and six years for planning or committing a terrorist act.

Police have also been granted new powers to remove individuals blocking access to places of worship or harassing worshippers, with violators facing up to two years in jail.

The federal government has also expanded protections against hate crimes with the recent passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024, which broadens legal safeguards based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.