Seven men arrested in a dramatic armed police operation in southwest Sydney have been released from custody without charge, levelling serious accusations of racial profiling and threats against the officers involved.
Dramatic Arrest and Allegations of Police Conduct
The group, now dubbed the 'Liverpool Seven', were stopped by heavily-armed tactical officers outside Westfield Liverpool on Thursday afternoon. The police intervention, which involved ramming the men's white hatchback with unmarked 4WDs, was based on intelligence suggesting a violent act was possibly being planned.
Footage of the incident showed the men being restrained on the road and searched. After spending a night in custody, they were released on Friday afternoon due to insufficient evidence to lay any charges.
Speaking to waiting reporters upon their release, one of the men claimed the group had been racially profiled. "We didn't do nothing wrong. My beliefs are we all live peacefully," he said. "It was racism, what else could it be?"
Others accused officers of being excessively aggressive, alleging they were threatened with being 'shot in the head' during the arrest. They also claimed police extended their detention by switching the legal basis for their hold. "They're just making up bullshit so they could hold us longer," one man stated.
No Link to Bondi Tragedy, But Questions Remain
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed on Friday that no connection has been established between these men and the devastating Bondi Junction attack the previous Sunday, which claimed 15 lives. Police had received reports the men, who are from Melbourne, might have been travelling to Bondi, but the reason remains unknown.
Commissioner Lanyon stated that while the specific threat was unclear, the potential for violence was such that police "were not prepared to tolerate the risk." He indicated that radical Islamist extremism was one of the ideologies being considered in their assessment of the group but declined to confirm if any individual was under investigation by ASIO.
Aftermath and Ongoing Scrutiny
The men explained they had travelled from Victoria for a holiday, calling the entire episode a "misunderstanding." Some were visibly dishevelled upon release, missing shoes or clothing. While some hid their faces, others were vocal in their criticism, directly linking their treatment to their faith. "[The police] targeted us because we're Muslims," one said.
Despite their release, NSW Police will continue to monitor the men during their stay in Sydney. The incident has sparked a heated debate about policing methods, intelligence-led operations, and accusations of discrimination in the heightened security climate following the Bondi massacre.
