A robotics scientist accused of orchestrating a planned riot on Australia Day, complete with preparations for Molotov cocktails, has been apprehended by counter-terrorism authorities in a significant security operation.
Court Appearance and Serious Charges
Sepehr Saryazdi, a 24-year-old academic, appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday following his arrest on charges related to planning a terrorist attack. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the alleged plot, which authorities claim was intended to disrupt Australia Day celebrations through coordinated violence.
Alleged Planning and Social Media Coordination
According to evidence presented in court, Saryazdi had allegedly been planning to lead a riot on the Gold Coast and had discussed these plans extensively with approximately fifty other individuals through a private Facebook group. The Brisbane Times reports that some of these messages contained specific instructions for creating and using Molotov cocktails during the planned disturbance.
Prosecutors revealed that Saryazdi had not only discussed these incendiary devices but had actually purchased supplies for their creation and actively encouraged other group members to follow his lead. In one particularly concerning message read to the court, Saryazdi allegedly declared: 'I'll be leading the Gold Coast riots on Jan 26. If you guys know people in Melbourne, let them know so that they can start buying bottles early to stockpile batches.'
Instructions for Arrest and Philosophical Justifications
The court heard that Saryazdi had provided detailed guidance to group members about how to behave if apprehended by authorities. In one alleged message, he wrote: 'If arrested, the key is to stay calm and collected. It's important during questioning to remind them what you did is purely logical given the current trajectory of this nation, you need to make the police doubt their own world views and convince them to quit their job.'
Further testimony revealed that Saryazdi viewed the Australian government as authoritarian and expressed a desire to replace the current political system with what he described as a cybernetics government. This philosophical underpinning appears to have informed his alleged activities and communications with other group members.
Academic Background and Professional Standing
Contrasting sharply with the serious allegations against him, Saryazdi maintained an impressive academic and professional profile. According to his LinkedIn profile presented in court, he had been working as an industry PhD candidate with CSIRO's Data61 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group and the Australian Centre for Robotics.
In his professional description, Saryazdi wrote: 'I am working on problems in robotic perception, enabling future robotic capabilities for real-time navigation in complex and dynamic environments. Outside robotics research, I am frequently involved in science education through casual tutoring and volunteering programs.'
The court heard that he had also served as a tutor in physics, mathematics, data science and robotics at the University of Sydney, adding another layer of complexity to the case given his educational role alongside the serious terrorism allegations.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The arrest represents a significant development in counter-terrorism efforts in Australia, particularly concerning the alleged use of social media platforms to coordinate potentially violent activities. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the alleged plot and the involvement of other individuals mentioned in the court proceedings.
As the legal process continues, this case raises important questions about the intersection of advanced technological expertise, political extremism, and national security concerns in contemporary Australia. The matter remains before the courts with further developments expected as investigations progress.
