Terrorism Charges Filed Over Alleged Bombing Attempt at Perth Invasion Day Rally
Western Australian authorities have laid terrorism charges against a 31-year-old man following an alleged attempted bombing at a Perth Invasion Day protest, marking the first such charges in the state's history. The incident occurred during a peaceful demonstration in the city centre on January 26, 2026, with approximately 2,500 people gathered at Forrest Place in the Perth CBD.
Premier's Strong Condemnation of Racist Motive
WA Premier Roger Cook addressed the media during a joint press conference on Thursday, stating that police allege the act was driven by what he described as a "hateful, racist ideology". Cook emphasised that the incident must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, highlighting the potential severity of the outcome.
"Last Monday on January 26, a man allegedly threw a homemade bomb into a crowd of people peacefully protesting in the heart of Perth city," Cook revealed. "Thankfully it did not detonate but for that we could have seen a mass casualty event with injuries and potential loss of life. It is an incident that shook all Western Australians, and all Australians, to the core."
Device Details and Initial Investigation
According to police reports, the suspect allegedly threw what authorities have described as a homemade "fragment bomb" from a balcony of the nearby shopping centre into the protest crowd. WA Police have alleged the device was specifically designed to explode on impact but failed to function as intended.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), and WA Police, who initially treated the incident as a "potential terrorist act" following its occurrence last week.
Arrest and Initial Charges
The man, who hails from Perth's northern suburbs, was arrested at the protest scene and initially faced two charges:
- Committing an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm (endangering life, health or safety of any person)
- Making or possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances
These initial charges have now been escalated to terrorism offences following further investigation by the Joint Task Force. The premier confirmed that the terrorism charge specifically alleges the attack targeted Aboriginal people and other peaceful protesters due to racist motivations.
The case represents a significant development in Western Australia's security landscape, with authorities emphasising their commitment to addressing ideologically motivated violence in all its forms.
