Sydney counter-terror raids: Third man charged over alleged Islamic State-inspired terror plot

A third man has formally been charged by police after authorities uncovered an alleged Islamic State-inspired plot to attack several targets including police stations, consulates and churches in Sydney's CBD.

Federal and NSW counter-terrorism police raided six properties in Sydney's west yesterday morning and arrested Isaak el Matari, 20, and two other men Radwan Dakkak, 23, and Ahmed Tebya, 30.

Police targeted six addresses in Greenacre, Canada Bay, Toongabbie, Chester Hill and Ingleburn. Authorities allege the younger men were members of Islamic State.

An AFP spokesman the 23-year-old, Radwan Dakkak, appeared in court today after he was charged with being a member of a terror organisation.

During his appearance in Bankstown Local Court, Dakkak smiled to supporters and raised his eyebrows as the prosecutor named the organisation as “Islamic State”. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Tebya was charged with obtaining a financial benefit by deception and granted police bail before his matter goes to court later in July. He has not been charged with terrorism offences.

It has since been confirmed that El Matari has this afternoon also formally been charged with knowingly being a member of a terror organisation, which carries a 10-year maximum jail term penalty.

"It will be alleged in court that the man had made early-stage preparations and had expressed an intention to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia," NSW Police said in a statement.

"The man allegedly indicated a range of targets, which included prominent Sydney landmarks and locations, but had not selected a specific target or time to do so.

"He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow."

In a message to 9News, El Matari's step-brother claimed the 20-year-old is not mentally capable of devising such a plot and said he has always attached himself to fads.

Former NSW detective Dr Michael Kennedy was El Matari's mentor at Western Sydney University for eight months and said he had been intellectually successful in his grades.

"It diverted his attention away from what he'd been thinking about in Lebanon," he told 9News.

"He's what I would call an orthodox muslim - he's a fundamentalist."

Earlier, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team - which includes Australian Federal Police officers – confirmed it conducted the raids yesterday following a 12-month investigation "targeting a group of people alleged to support the Islamic State terrorist organisation".

AFP Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney yesterday said the plot was in the "early stages" of planning and targeted police stations, defence establishments, embassies and consulates, councils, courts and churches in Sydney's CBD.

Police also said they believe the men met on social media and shared an allegiance to Islamic State.