Sydney caravan bomb plotter admits key role from Turkish hideout
Sayit Erhan Akca says he approached authorities to arrange a 'trade-in', offering up the cache of explosives in exchange for a reduced sentence and to have his bail reinstated if he returned to Australia. Akca fled the country in mid-2023 after being arrested during the Australian Federal Police's Operation Ironside and charged with drug importation and proceeds of crime-related offences.
The discovery of the explosives in Sydney's north, along with a list of supposed Jewish targets, triggered panic, with NSW Premier Chris Minns declaring a 'potential mass-casualty event' had been avoided.
Almost two months later, the AFP declared there was no risk of such an event and that the plot was concocted by organised crime figures for their own benefit.
Akca, who is hiding out in Turkey, said he approached the AFP in December, and claims he was told he could return to Australia if he handed the stolen mining explosives over. This masthead first revealed authorities' suspicions that the caravan was being leveraged by an underworld figure for a reduced sentence.
'I was giving them explosives,' he told the ABC's Four Corners.
'I said, 'Look, I've got information on a movement of explosives. I can seize it and I can hand it over'.'
Akca said he didn't purchase the stolen Powergel explosives, but instead intercepted them while they were being transported during a black-market sale.
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7NEWS
31 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responds to angry swipe from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over 'blowing up' Palestinians and starving children. Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a 'weak politician' in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Albanese said he would continue to engage with Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. 'I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders,' he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. 'There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well.' Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly 'isolated' Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. 'Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,' he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. 'Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done. 'When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person.' In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a 'poor reflection', he also wants a softening of language from Burke. 'I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath,' he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. 'While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent,' she told reporters in Sydney. 'Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable.' Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. 'None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now,' he told reporters in Sydney. 'I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences.' Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Netanyahu's criticisms.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
One year on, the hunt for the man accused of scalding baby narrows to Asia
The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Albanese shrugs off swipe from angry Israeli leader
Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms.
