An apparent claim by terrorist Neil Prakash that he had four terrorist “brothers” in Tasmania was not credible, according to police.
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However, that has not ended the worries of former Jacqui Lambie staffer Rob Messenger.
Mr Messenger said he and his wife, Fern, and other staff of then-senator Lambie were subject to an “unresolved ISIS death threat” targeting Ms Lambie’s Burnie office in 2015.
“ ...my Burnie workplace was targeted in February 2015 - around the time of the Prakash claim - by a written, unresolved death threat claiming to be from ISIS, accompanied by three threatening pics, one showing a beheading,” he said.
“According to the Federal Police, no one has been identified or charged for that threat, so obviously the ISIS death threat remains unresolved to this day.”
Fairfax asked Tasmania Police about a comment by an undercover journalist in 2016 that Prakash told them: ” … he already had four ‘brothers’ in Tasmania who he had ordered to attack the journalists (who were writing about Islamic State’s influence in Australia)”.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Glenn Frame said: “The claims were investigated and were found to have no credibility.”
“There is no information to indicate a specific security threat to Tasmania.”
The federal government did not comment, but did not dispute the thrust of Tasmanian police comments about the Prakash-Tasmania claim.
Mr Messenger said the police response was light on detail, raised more questions than it answered “and, disturbingly, seems to contradict Prime Minister Turnbull’s, ASIO’s and the FBI’s assessments of Prakash’s potential for terror”.
Prakash is in jail in Turkey and the Australian government wants him to face justice in Australia.
A former Melbourne rapper, he admitted being an Islamic State member, but said he had nothing to do with Islamic State in Australia.
He has been linked to a plan to behead a police officer in Melbourne and the stabbing of two police in Melbourne.
The Messengers’ relationship with Ms Lambie broke down and their employment in her office ended in 2017.
They started an unlawful dismissal claim against her and the Commonwealth in the Federal Court.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Frame said: “As always, we urge the community should remain vigilant.”
The claims were investigated and were found to have no credibility.
- Tasmania Police
“If you see something out of the ordinary, please report it.
“Unusual or suspicious activity should be reported to the national security hotline (1800 1234 00) or the police assistance line (131 444).
“For assistance in a life threatening or time critical emergency, call triple zero (000).”
