Terrorists Holding People Hostage In Sydney, Australia

Just talked on the phone with a friend who works on Martin Place, which has now been evacuated entirely.

The police are calling it an 'armed robbery', not a 'terrorist hostage situation'... let's see what happens.
 
It doesn't look like a robbery. They put a flag in the window.
 
"There are reports that two gunman have taken hostages, some of which are standing with their hands up at the windows in the popular Lindt chocolate shop, which has two or three entrances. There is also a black and white flag being held up in a window. It is believed to be the Black Standard, a jihadist flag.

Lindt Australia CEO Steve Loane told news.com.au he believes there are 40 to 50 people inside the cafe, including customers and staff. Other reports are suggesting there may only be 13 hostages."

source : http://www.news.com.au/national/a-m...artin-place-cafe/story-fncynjr2-1227156241649
 
Why is it being labeled as a criminal incident and not terrorist incident?
 
Why is it being labeled as a criminal incident and not terrorist incident?

Their PM probably doesn't want it to be labelled as a terrorism incident because that would just cause more panic. There is already a lot of different information and probably misinformation; a lot of reports of things like suspicious packages and millions are watching what the PM says. Having him say a word like terrorism can do a lot more harm than good right now.
 
Quoting: http://www.news.com.au/national/a-m...artin-place-cafe/story-fncynjr2-1227156241649

At a press conference this morning Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the government did not know whether the hostage situation was politically motivated.

"We don't yet know the motivation of perpetrator, we don't know whether it's politically motivated although there are indications it could be," he said.

"The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people...

~unquote


2.:

The US Dept of State defines terrorism as:

~Quote:
Terrorism: Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. (As per 22 USCS 2656f. Other definitions in other U.S. laws exist.)

~unquote

ref.: http://www.state.gov/j/ct/info/c16718.htm (Note: Above: some text is made bold and underlined by me...)

So it IS an act of terrorism imho, even if no one there is saying it is that...

I am praying that the innocent people held as hostages do not get hurt now or ever, let them be free from all harm at the earliest, and I pray they are never haunted by this incident ever in life. God, keep them safe...
 
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Now they're saying that there are 80 people in there. I hope they all come out of this okay.
 
Oh no, I'll be in Sydney next week. I hope they all get out safely.

Its pretty rare that something like this happens in Australia.
 
2GB Radio broadcaster has said he has been speaking with a hostage who was forced to call him. He is not putting him on the air but the broadcaster is supposed to make contact with them again any minute now, listen live here: http://www.2gb.com/listen-live
 
2GB Radio broadcaster has said he has been speaking with a hostage who was forced to call him. He is not putting him on the air but the broadcaster is supposed to make contact with them again any minute now, listen live here: http://www.2gb.com/listen-live

I hope they do not broadcast this. Australian media has been quiet well behaved when it comes to this type of stuff lately. All of stations are refusing to broadcast some material because they do not want to give then the attention they crave.
 
I hope they do not broadcast this. Australian media has been quiet well behaved when it comes to this type of stuff lately. All of stations are refusing to broadcast some material because they do not want to give then the attention they crave.

He said he wouldn't because it won't do any good and that he basically isn't equipped to deal with this situation the authorities are.

Said just now (paraphrasing) "I am not doing the job of Police, I just picked up the phone. I have been in contact with the Police the entire time and following their instruction including the commissioner."
 
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he might be drawing this out for attention before he does some dirty deed.

I really hope you're wrong but unfortunately I doubt that you are. This will not only be a sad day for Australia, but the consequences are going to be even worse.
 
I really hope you're wrong but unfortunately I doubt that you are. This will not only be a sad day for Australia, but the consequences are going to be even worse.

You couldn't be more right, but not for the reason you might expect. Do you know how bad it's going to be hearing about this crap on the morning news with that douche-bag Karl Stefanovic? I'm cringing just at the thought of it. I swear, if they were holding the entire crew of the Today show hostage, I wouldn't bat any eyelid. Seriously, the news here is a f*cking joke.

Apologies to those from the US, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Those from Oz, I'm sure you can sympathize.
 
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To all those in Australia facing this terrorism attack, hope they have peace and a wonderful christmas..
So sad for members of the family who are held captive.
 
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I live about 10 minutes away. The city is jammed and police are trying to keep everyone out. At one point all mobile phones were jammed also.
 
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