Australian police said on Friday they had foiled a plot to attack prominent sites in the city of Melbourne with a series of bombs on Christmas Day that authorities described as “an imminent terrorist event” inspired by Islamic State. Key points: Police believe plot involved use of explosives and other weapons and could have been planned for Christmas Day

High profile locations including Federation Square and Flinders Street Station were targeted, police say

Five people arrested still in custody and are being questioned by police

Seven people were arrested during overnight raids on Thursday at properties in Flemington, Meadow Heights and Dallas in Melbourne over the alleged plot, which police said was inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group. A 24-year-old man from Meadow Heights

A 26-year-old man from Dallas

A 22-year-old man from Campbellfield

A 21-year-old man from Flemington

A 21-year-old man from Gladstone Park

A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both from Meadow Heights, have been released without charge Source: Victoria Police Source: Victoria Police

"What they have uncovered is a plot to explode improvised explosive devices in central Melbourne in the area of Federation Square, on or about Christmas Day. Although other details about the suspects have not been identified yet, the officers said that four of them were born in Australia and had Lebanese background while one of them was Egypt-born with dual citizenship from Egypt and Australia. Melbourne terrorist plot: Four charged, one in custody over alleged Christmas Day attack plan

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Police have disrupted a terrorist plot to detonate improvised explosive devices at locations in central Melbourne, possibly on Christmas Day, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says. On the other hand, according to ABC News, Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews said that the department will deploy extra police force on Melbourne streets to make the public feel safe and secure on Christmas Day. Commissioner Ashton said of the accused, who are either Australian-born or citizens in their 20s: "Certainly, these are self-radicalised, we believe, but inspired by ISIS and ISIS propaganda.
Australian police raid several Melbourne properties and arrest seven Arab Australian men, who were believed to be plotting a terrorist attack on several sites in Melbourne for Christmas Day.