source : the age
The suspected mastermind of the Dural caravan fake terror plot admits he sourced the explosives found in the vehicle, but denies involvement in a string of antisemitic attacks police say he orchestrated from overseas.
Sayit Erhan Akca says he approached authorities to arrange a “trade-in”, offering up the cache of explosives in exchange for a reduced sentence and to have his bail reinstated if he returned to Australia. Akca fled the country in mid-2023 after being arrested during the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside and charged with drug importation and proceeds of crime-related offences.
Sayit Erhan Akca says he approached authorities to arrange a “trade-in” and return to Australia on bail.
The discovery of the explosives in Sydney’s north, along with a list of supposed Jewish targets, triggered panic, with NSW Premier Chris Minns declaring a “potential mass-casualty event” had been avoided.
Almost two months later, the AFP declared there was no risk of such an event and that the plot was concocted by organised crime figures for their own benefit.
Akca, who is hiding out in Turkey, said he approached the AFP in December, and claims he was told he could return to Australia if he handed the stolen mining explosives over. This masthead first revealed authorities’ suspicions that the caravan was being leveraged by an underworld figure for a reduced sentence.
“I was giving them explosives,” he told the ABC’s Four Corners.
“I said, ‘Look, I’ve got information on a movement of explosives. I can seize it and I can hand it over’.”
Akca denies any involvement in the string of antisemitic attacks across Sydney.
Akca said he didn’t purchase the stolen Powergel explosives, but instead intercepted them while they were being transported during a black-market sale.
The explosives, which authorities at the time said could create a 40-metre blast radius, were found without a detonator. Akca said he instructed the driver to remove detonators.
“I actually picked Dural and I just told the driver … to just put it in a safe spot,” he said.
Police allege Akca orchestrated more than a dozen antisemitic attacks across Sydney over several months to create fear within the Jewish community. Akca denied the allegation.
“I removed something off the street and gave it to them. And then there’s a bunch of other things they’re alleging was me. But I deny it. Doesn’t match my timeline,” he said.
“It feels like the narrative is just being controlled really inaccurately.”
He denied any involvement in a list of Jewish targets left in the caravan.
“If I knew that was there, I would’ve taken it out,” he said.
“I’m not in Australia. I don’t know who put that in.”
Akca said he had tried to organise deals with authorities after the caravan was found, but none were struck. As a result, he said he would remain in Turkey, where he was confident he would remain safe from extradition to Australia.
The AFP said investigations into the caravan were ongoing under Operation Kissinger and questioned Akca’s “motivation” to speak publicly.
NSW Police said it was working with the AFP, the NSW Crime Commission and ASIO and could not comment further.
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