Australia denies bail to terror suspects

MELBOURNE: Three terror suspects accused of plotting a suicide attack on an army base near here were denied bail by an Australian court.

Reading out the ruling, Magistrate Peter Reardon said to set the three men free "was an unacceptable risk" of further terrorist offences.

Besides, he said, the three men of Somali and Lebanese origin, Yacqub Khayre, Nayef El Sayed and Saney Aweys, who were captured in a special operation by Australian anti-terrorist police, could flee the country.

The three were accused of planning a terror attack on the Holsworthy army base in Sydney and during hearing admitted that they planned to kill anyone in sight if they had succeeded, 'Radio Australia News' reported.

Two other men, Abdirahman and Wissam Mahmoud have also been charged for the terror plot, but did not apply for bail.

"The conspiracy, if it were to come to fruition, would have potentially involved significant loss of life" the Magistrate said.

Members of the group are allegedly linked to Al-Shabab, a Somali extremist organization which is active in trying to topple the legal government backed by UN and other regional allies.

-PTI