PhD candidate Sepehr Saryazdi, accused of planning a terror attack on Australia Day, has been denied bail. The 24-year-old, a CSIRO researcher, was charged with one count of acts in preparation for or planning a terrorist act. During the bail hearing, the court learned that Saryazdi had been brought to the attention of counter-terrorism officers due to online posts. The prosecution presented evidence of Facebook Messenger chats within a private group of over 50 people, where Saryazdi allegedly discussed plans for a riot on the Gold Coast on Australia Day, including the use of Molotov cocktails. He also encouraged others to join the planned attack and provided strategic advice on how to avoid arrest and remain calm if caught. In one post, Saryazdi expressed his wishes for the Australian government and society before a potential death. He also suggested overthrowing the government and replacing it with a cybernetic one. The defense argued that Saryazdi's actions were driven by a desire to raise awareness and bring attention to his concerns about the government's direction, not to harm anyone. However, the magistrate denied bail, citing the significant risk of serious injury to multiple people and Saryazdi's frank admissions of authoritarian beliefs and his desire to replace the government with a cybernetic one.
