Key Takeaways
- A 24-year-old CSIRO PhD candidate, Sepehr Saryazdi, has been charged with terror offenses related to planning a riot on Australia Day.
- Saryazdi allegedly planned to lead a riot on the Gold Coast, using Molotov cocktails and encouraging others to learn how to use firearms.
- He believed the Australian government was authoritarian and wanted to replace it with a cybernetics government.
- Saryazdi’s lawyer claimed he was overwhelmed emotionally and wanted to bring attention to the government, but did not intend to hurt anyone.
- The court refused his bail application, citing the risk of reoffending.
Introduction to the Case
The Brisbane Magistrates Court recently heard a case involving a 24-year-old CSIRO PhD candidate, Sepehr Saryazdi, who has been charged with terror offenses related to planning a riot on Australia Day. Saryazdi, who was working as an industry PhD candidate with CSIRO’s Data61’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group and the Australian Centre for Robotics, allegedly planned to lead a riot on the Gold Coast, using Molotov cocktails and encouraging others to learn how to use firearms. The court heard that Saryazdi believed the Australian government was authoritarian and wanted to replace it with a cybernetics government.
The Alleged Plot
According to the prosecution, Saryazdi was messaging about 50 people in a private Facebook chat, saying he would lead a riot on the Gold Coast on Australia Day. He allegedly encouraged others to stockpile bottles and learn how to use firearms at shooting ranges. The court also heard that Saryazdi had purchased supplies for Molotov cocktails and had plans to use them during the riot. Additionally, he allegedly posted messages saying that if he was arrested, he would try to convince the police to doubt their own worldview and quit their jobs. The prosecution argued that Saryazdi’s actions posed a significant risk to public safety and that he should not be granted bail.
The Defendant’s Background
Saryazdi’s lawyer, Hellen Shilton, told the court that her client had an isolated lifestyle after moving from Sydney and had become influenced by new people he was associating with. She said that Saryazdi was interested in geopolitics and had been watching videos and protests, which had overwhelmed him emotionally. Shilton claimed that Saryazdi’s intention was not to hurt anyone, but to bring attention to the government and the way the world was heading. However, the court was not convinced by this argument and refused Saryazdi’s bail application.
The Court’s Decision
Magistrate Penelope Hay refused Saryazdi’s bail, finding that the conditions would not ameliorate the risk of reoffending. The court heard that Saryazdi had a history of making concerning messages and that his actions posed a significant risk to public safety. The prosecution argued that Saryazdi’s alleged plot was a serious offense and that he should be remanded in custody until his trial. The court agreed, and Saryazdi was remanded in custody until February.
Conclusion
The case of Sepehr Saryazdi highlights the importance of monitoring online activity and taking threats of violence seriously. The alleged plot to lead a riot on Australia Day using Molotov cocktails and firearms is a serious offense that could have resulted in harm to innocent people. The court’s decision to refuse Saryazdi’s bail application is a testament to the seriousness of the charges and the need to protect public safety. As the case proceeds to trial, it will be important to consider the motivations behind Saryazdi’s actions and the potential consequences of his alleged plot.
