Paul Millar
Anti-terrorism raids on homes across Melbourne this morning were part of a national effort, with properties in Sydney and Perth also targeted.
In a joint blitz, police executed a number of search warrants as part of their investigation into organisations funding overseas terrorists.
The counter-terrorism teams include the Australian Federal Police, and officers from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
The raids are part of an investigation into the funding of terrorist organisations.
“The community can be assured that this investigation is not related to any terrorist-related threat or incident,” a police spokeswoman said.
The Melbourne raids took place in Glenroy, Coolaroo, Pascoe Vale, and Dandenong.
Police raided the offices of the Kurdish Association of Victoria on Fawkner Road, Pascoe Vale, before dawn.
They sealed off the area and entered the offices.
Police seized boxes full of documents in the raids.
They also took desktop computers, hard drives and bagged evidence to waiting police cars.
Local Kurds, however, said the raids were nothing more than a political stunt.
Sniffer dogs combed the scene and association members were barred from entering the property.
Up to seven police cars were at the scene at first light.
The raids are believed to be linked to Kurdish groups providing funding to terror organisations overseas.
The Kurdish Association of Victoria was established to help newly arrived Kurdish refugees and migrants.
Its website says it provides a range of services for the Kurdish community, including settlement, advocacy, referral, education and health issues.
It also offers cultural and recreational programs in the areas of folk dancing, traditional music and Kurdish language.
The raids are believed to be linked to a crackdown on funding for the Kurdish Workers’ Party, which is listed as a terror organisation internationally. The PKK’s goal is to establish an independent Kurdish state.
with Reid Sexton
, 19 August 2010
