Father of 'terror plot' teen weeps in court

The father of one of the teenagers charged over an alleged Anzac Day terror plot has wept in court, as it is revealed his son is being held in Victoria's toughest prison.

Harun Causevic, 18, of Hampton Park, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act following weekend raids.

The Herald Sun reports Causevic was supported by family including his dad who broke down and held his head in his hands as his son was led into court.

Speaking to waiting media, Causevic’s father referred to a "set-up" when asked if he had anything to say about his son.

"That is all a set-up," he said.

During a brief hearing before Magistrate Cathy Lamble, defence lawyer Rob Stary said Causevic would apply for bail.

He urged authorities to remove the 18-year-old with no prior convictions from the same maximum security unit of Barwon Prison that once housed Carl Williams and killer Matthew Charles Johnson.

He said Causevic's placement was a matter for corrections, but it was undesirable for someone so young to be kept in the secure unit that houses the most serious offenders.

"He's a young man with no prior history," Mr Stary said.

The magistrate said Causevic's youth and history should be considered.

"You're young, you have no priors, I have said that these factors should be taken into account in determining the conditions of his incarceration," Ms Lamble said.

Causevic was arrested on the weekend, along with four others, over an alleged plot to attack police at Anzac Day events.

He was being held by police on an interim preventative detention order prior to being charged on Monday night.

Causevic will return to court on April 30 for a bail hearing.

Alleged accomplice Sevdet Besim, 18, from Hallam, was charged on Saturday with conspiracy to commit acts done in preparation for, or planning terrorist acts and will return to court on Friday.

Overnight, a British teenager was also arrested on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism. He is aged 14.

Source: Herald Sun