'Diamond boys': Parents defend terror plot-accused sons

The parents of two brothers accused of plotting a terror attack in Melbourne have defended their “brilliant” sons.

Speaking exclusively to 9News in Campbellfield today, the mother of Samed and Ertunc Eriklioglu recounted the moment police stormed the Gentles Avenue home yesterday morning.

“These people came into the bed, and hit my husband,” Yasemin Eriklioglu said.

Samed Eriklioglu, 26, was sleeping in the bungalow of the property of his grandmother when police took him into custody.

The accused’s father, Aramagan, said he believes his son is innocent and wants proof.

“Unless they show me the texts or something,” he said.

“I’m not worried, they are really innocent, they don’t do these things.”

Mrs Erikligliou described her sons as “diamonds”.

“My family are all nice. My sons (are) just brilliant… diamond boys okay.

“I trust my son, thankyou very much.”

The Eriklioglu family also took 9News through the garage of 30-year-old Ertunc Eriklioglu's home in Dallas, which he shared with his wife and young children.

The two brothers, along with 21-year-old Hanifi Halas, were charged with terror offences yesterday and faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard police allegedly have 17,000 intercepted phone calls thousands of text messages and thousands of hours of listening device material.

The accused’s lawyer, Michael Zuzilny, said the “evidence has to be tested”.

“The last thing we want is to judge prematurely, and have the opinion firing squad putting them behind bars already.”

The accused men were remanded to reappear at a later date.

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