Brothers Aran and Ari Sherani are on trial for terror-related offences, with prosecutors alleging they were motivated by extremist religious ideology when they planned to light deadly bushfires on Melbourne's outskirts in 2021.
The pair have pleaded not guilty to attempting to engage in a terrorist act, although Aran Sherani has pleaded guilty to being a member of a terrorist organisation, namely Islamic State.Prosecutor Justin Hannebery KC said fires were lit in Humevale and Kinglake West, but the pair failed to achieve their alleged aims of causing widespread damage and harming the public.
On Tuesday, the jury was shown several videos, including some where Aran Sherani filmed himself holding a knife and pledging loyalty to Islamic State.In another clip played to the court, a man in a black hooded jumper yelled the words "we will slaughter you all" before tossing a lit match into bushland.The prosecutor said music played over the top of the footage contained lyrics which translated to: "Go and answer the call, don't spare none, kill them all.
On Tuesday, the pair were dressed in button-up shirts and sat quietly in the court dock, flanked by security staff. Mr Doyle said Aran Sherani made the "propaganda" videos to get the attention and support of Islamic State members, because he wanted to join a fight overseas for the freedom of the Kurdish people.Mr Doyle said his client bought a $3 knife from Coles and used it in videos pledging loyalty to Islamic State, and questioned whether the man was genuinely planning to conduct a terror attack on Australian soil.
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