Media Release
Man charged with terrorism offence under Operation Dumfries
This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police Force and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Editor’s note: The media are reminded of court-ordered non-publication orders in place for this matter.
The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) yesterday (4 February, 2026) charged a man, 31, with one count of engaging in a terrorist act.
It is alleged the man removed a home-made improvised explosive device from his bag and threw it into a crowd at a rally held in support of First Nations people in Perth CBD on 26 January, 2026.
The man was charged by the WA JCTT with one count of engage in terrorist act, contrary to section 101.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The man remains in custody after being charged by Western Australia Police Force for state-based charges relating to the alleged attack.
He is next due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on 17 February, 2026.
Under the Criminal Code three key components must be met to charge for a terrorism offence, including:
- The action causes, or threatens to cause, serious harm to human life, serious damage to property, endangers life, creates a serious risk to public health/safety, or seriously interferes with critical infrastructure, and,
- The action is done with the intention of advancing a political, religious, or ideological cause, and,
- The action is done with the intention of coercing or influencing a government by intimidation, or intimidating the public, or a section of the public.
It is alleged the man acted to advance a national racially motivated ideological cause.
It is the first time an individual has been charged with the engage in terrorist act offence in Western Australia.
The WA JCTT includes Western Australia Police Force, the AFP and ASIO.
