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Lindt Cafe siege

Coordinates: 33°52′05″S 151°12′40″E / 33.86796°S 151.21113°E / -33.86796; 151.21113
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2014 Sydney hostage crisis
People standing in Martin Place near the Lindt Chocolate Cafe during the crisis
LocationAustralia Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates33°52′05″S 151°12′40″E / 33.86796°S 151.21113°E / -33.86796; 151.21113
Date15 December 2014 (2014-12-15)
9:44 a.m. – 2:44 a.m. 16 December 2014 (2014-12-16) (AEDT, UTC+11:00)
TargetCafe staff and customers
Attack type
Hostage-taking
WeaponsShotgun, machete[1]
DeathsUnknown
Injured3 seriously injured[2]
VictimsUnknown number of hostages
PerpetratorsMan Haron Monis (Sheikh Haron)[3][4][5]
MotiveCurrently unknown

A hostage crisis began on 15 December 2014 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. A lone gunman,[6] later identified by police as Man Haron Monis,[4][5] entered a Lindt chocolate cafe located at Martin Place and remained inside holding employees and customers hostage. After several hours, five of the hostages escaped, while an unknown number remained inside the building.

Hostages were seen holding up a black Islamic flag with the Arabic shahādah.[7] The gunman was described as "claiming political motivation".[8][9]

As a result of the siege, road closures were implemented in the Sydney central business district, the area around the siege site was closed to the public and some nearby government buildings locked down.[10] At 2:14 a.m. on 16 December, shortly after the apparent escape of six more hostages, police tactical operators stormed the cafe.[11][12] Police declared the siege over a short time later.[13]

Perpetrator

The hostage taker was identified as Iranian-born Man Haron Monis. He was a self-proclaimed sheikh, although he was not recognised as such in the Islamic community.[4][5]

Monis had a history of legal problems. He protested the presence of Australian troops in Afghanistan, by writing letters to the families of soldiers killed there, in which he called the soldiers murderers[14] and urged the soldiers' families to petition the government to remove its troops from Afghanistan; one of the letters compared a deceased soldier to a pig and called his body "contaminated".[15] Haron was arrested on charges of "using a postal or similar service to menace, harass or cause offence".[16] In 2013 he was charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife, allegedly stabbed and set alight in a stairwell on 21 April 2013. His partner, Amirah Droudis, was formally charged with Pal's murder.[17] On 14 March 2014, Haron was arrested and charged with sexually and indecently assaulting a young woman in 2002.[18]

Earlier in December 2014, Monis posted to his website: "I used to be a Rafidi, but not any more. Now I am a Muslim, Alhamdu Lillah".[4] "Rafidi" is a derogatory term used by Salafis to describe the Shia branch of Islam.[19]

Event

Siege and negotiations

The Lindt Chocolate Café where the crisis took place, pictured in 2013

The crisis began at the Lindt Chocolate Café in 53 Martin Place, Sydney, at 9:44 a.m. AEDT on 15 December (22:44 UTC, 14 December). Hostages were seen holding up a jihadist black flag with the Arabic shahādah "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God".[20][7] The flag was initially mistaken as a flag for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in news reports.[9] One of the hostages was reportedly being used as a human shield by the gunman,[21] who was later described as bearded, wearing a white shirt and a black bandana, and armed with a shotgun.[3][9] Prior to the siege, the automatic sliding doors of the cafe were disabled.[22][23]

According to Sydney 2GB radio announcer Ray Hadley, the gunman demanded to speak to the Prime Minister live on radio, although these reports are unconfirmed.[24] There were also further reports that the gunman stated that there were four "devices" located around Sydney. However, the New South Wales Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, stated that none of the alleged devices were found during investigations.[25] Two female hostages made contact with media outlets and relayed the gunman's demands to them, but the New South Wales Police Force requested that the demands not be published.[26][9]

NSW Police treated the event as a terrorist attack.[27] Police were negotiating with the gunman throughout the day.[28]

The NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Catherine Burn, confirmed that around 3:37 p.m., two hostages emerged from the front entrance of the building, followed by a third hostage, an employee, who ran out from a fire exit at the side of the building. Media outlets advised that the hostages were not released, but had escaped, though details were not immediately available.[3][29] It was later confirmed by police that all three hostages escaped.[1] At around 4:58 p.m., two female hostages, both employees, ran from another entrance of the building, having also escaped,[3] and were met by officers with the Tactical Operations Unit.[3][6]

At 2:08 a.m. on 16 December, a group of five hostages ran out of the building, followed by another hostage.

Raid

Minutes later, heavily armed police stormed the cafe amidst loud bangs and flashes of light, following which further hostages were rescued from the building.[11][30] Police declared the siege over a short time later.[13][31]

Hostages

Police blocking Martin Place near Lindt cafe

It was initially estimated that there were 13 people inside. Subsequent to the debriefing of the escaped hostages, authorities advised that no more than 10 hostages remained inside the cafe.[3]

One of the escaped hostages was hospitalised for a pre-existing condition[32] and was in a satisfactory condition.[9]

Martin Place video

Effects

Map indicating the location of the hostage situation

Transportation

Trains were not stopping at Martin Place railway station due to the hostage situation. Transport New South Wales advised people to stay away from the CBD.[33] Road closures also occurred. There was no southbound access to the Cahill Expressway, York Street, or Harbour Street. There was no northbound access to the Cahill Expressway, and all traffic was diverted to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Northbound traffic on the Western Distributor was diverted over Sydney Harbour Bridge.[34] Various road closures are in place.[10]

Uber Sydney's automatic pricing led to people leaving the city being charged a minimum of $100 during the siege. After public outcry, Uber announced on its Twitter profile that trips from Sydney's central business district "will be free for riders"; however, surge pricing into the CBD was retained to attract drivers.[35]

Evacuations and closures

Road closures

Immediately after the siege began, people found above the cafe were evacuated by ladder.[36] The Sydney Opera House was evacuated after a suspicious package was found, however reports were unconfirmed by police.[37][38] The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney, located in Martin Place, was also evacuated.[39]

Police advised people in the area bounded by Hunter, George, Elizabeth, and Macquarie Streets, bordering Martin Place, to remain indoors and away from windows.[40] Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group have closed their CBD branches for today.[11] The State Library of New South Wales has also closed its doors.[41] Numerous other buildings, including David Jones Limited stores, executive offices for the New South Wales Parliament, criminal courts for the New South Wales Supreme Court, the Downing Centre, and "several city legal chambers" have been evacuated.[42] The facilities of the Seven Network, which is situated directly across from the cafe, are under lockdown.[43]

Some Sydney schools were put in "white level lockout" due to the hostage crisis, which means that no school group may leave the school grounds.[20]

Domestic reactions

Government

The Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, convened the National Security Committee of Cabinet to give briefings on the situation.[44][45][20] Abbott made a public statement reassuring Australians, stating, "Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner."[46] He later said, "The whole point of politically-motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves. Australia is a peaceful, open, and generous society. Nothing should ever change that and that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual."[25]

The Premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, addressed the media, stating "We are being tested today... in Sydney. The police are being tested, the public is being tested, but whatever the test we will face it head on and we will remain a strong democratic, civil society. I have full confidence in the Police Commissioner and the incredible work of the NSW police force."[11][47]

Community

Due to concerns about anti-Muslim backlash and attacks, a grassroots movement named #illridewithyou was started on social media in order to physically and emotionally support Muslims travelling alone on public transport.[48][49][50]

Muslim organisations

Sanier Dandan, the president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, informed ABC News that Australian Muslim leaders were meeting online for discussions on how the Muslim community could help with the crisis. He also added that it was not known if the perpetrator or perpetrators were linked to the Australian Muslim community, saying, "Regardless we have a hostage situation. Whether he is someone who belongs to the Australian Muslim community or not, we are still waiting for information to be provided by police and based on that if there's something the Muslim community can do or assist, we are there."[51][52] Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, the Grand Mufti of Australia, also condemned the incident in a released statement.[11][53] During the afternoon of 15 December around 50 Muslim groups issued a joint statement in which they condemned the incident.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Sydney siege: Police in contact with gunman as five hostages escape". Fox News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Sydney siege ends as police raid cafe". Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "LIVE STREAM: Sydney siege hostages 'huddled at one end of café'". 9news.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Ralston, Nick. "Martin Place, Sydney siege gunman identified as Man Haron Monis". The Age. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Knowles, Lorna (16 December 2014). "Sydney siege: Man behind siege named as Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis". ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b WRAL. "5 people escape Sydney cafe in hostage crisis". WRAL.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Seven in 'lockdown' due to hostage crisis". NewsComAu. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  8. ^ Griffiths, Emma (15 December 2014). "Sydney siege: Prime Minister Tony Abbott says gunman is 'claiming political motivation'". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Police say they are in contact with gunman holding hostages in Sydney, Australia". news. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  10. ^ a b Thomsen, Simon (15 December 2014). "SYDNEY SIEGE: Here's What's Happening To The City As A Result". Business Insider Australia. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Franklin, Daniel (15 December 2014). "Live blog: Siege in Sydney's Martin Place". ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Sydney cafe siege: Australia police storm building". BBC News. 15 December 2014.
  13. ^ a b NSW Police. "Sydney siege is over. More details to follow". Twitter.
  14. ^ AAP (6 September 2013). "Sheik says letters were flowers of advice". SBS News. sbs.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Casenote: Monis v The Queen [2013] HCA 4". humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  16. ^ Hoerr, Karl (22 November 2013). "'Hate mail' suspect protests against 'misinterpretation'". Lateline. abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  17. ^ AAP (22 November 2013). "Self-styled Muslim sheikh faces court on accessory to murder charge". ABC News. abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  18. ^ ABC News (14 April 2014). "'Spiritual healer' refused bail over alleged 2002 sexual assaults at Wentworthville in Sydney's west". ABC News. abc.net.au. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  19. ^ "A Quietist Jihadi". Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  20. ^ a b c "Lindt Chocolate Cafe Hostage Drama in Martin Place Sydney." Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2014.
  21. ^ Rolling coverage on Seven News (ATN), Seven West Media, 15 December 2014.
  22. ^ "Sydney siege: Hostages held at Martin Place cafe". News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  23. ^ "Sydney Hostage Crisis: Dozens Held Inside Cafe, Islamic Flag Put Up on Window". NDTV.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  24. ^ "Hostage crisis: First images of 'lead gunman.'" Sunshine Coast Daily
  25. ^ a b "Five hostages flee in terror from Sydney hostage drama". Gympie Times. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  26. ^ Levy, Megan; Begley, Patrick (15 December 2014). "Police clear Martin Place after gunman holds hostages at Lindt Chocolat Cafe". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  27. ^ Ralston, Nick; Partridge, Emma (15 December 2014). "Martin Place siege being treated as terrorist attack, police confirm". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  28. ^ "Sydney siege: What we do and don't know about hostage situation in Martin Place". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  29. ^ "Lindt Chocolat Cafe hostage drama in Martin Place, Sydney". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  30. ^ "Police storm Lindt cafe". ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  31. ^ "Sydney siege over as officers storm Martin Place Lindt Cafe after gunman Man Haron Monis takes hostages - City A.M." Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  32. ^ "Press conference with NSW Police Chief Commissioner Scipione". ABC News. 15 December 2014. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ "Transport status alert - transportnsw.info". Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  34. ^ "Sydney siege: Martin Place Lindt cafe hostage situation leads to road closures and transport diversions". ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  35. ^ Brian Ries, Jenni Ryall (15 December 2014). "Uber introduces surge pricing in downtown Sydney during hostage siege". Mashable. Mashable. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  36. ^ Police have evacuated people trapped in the buildi... - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  37. ^ "Sydney Siege: Up To 20 Hostages Held - Reports". Sky News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  38. ^ "Sydney Opera House evacuated after reports of a suspicious package". TVNZ. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  39. ^ "US Consulate in Sydney near hostage cafe crisis evacuated, security warning issued". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  40. ^ "NSW Police on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  41. ^ "State Library of NSW on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  42. ^ Police clear Martin Place after gunman holds hostages at Lindt Chocolat Cafe
  43. ^ "Seven in 'lockdown' due to hostage crisis". The Australian. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  44. ^ "Abbott reassures Australians over Sydney siege". ITV News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  45. ^ "Incident in Martin Place, Sydney". Prime Minister of Australia Media. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  46. ^ "Five Hostages Flee Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney, Australia". NBC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  47. ^ "Premier and Commissioner address the media re: Martin Place police operation". YouTube. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  48. ^ "#illridewithyou: Twitter sprouts anti-Islamophobia campaign". news.com.au. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  49. ^ "Martin Place siege: #illridewithyou hashtag goes viral". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  50. ^ "#illridewithyou: support for Muslim Australians takes off following Sydney siege". ABC News. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  51. ^ Post Publishing PCL. "Sydney hostage crisis: Live Report". http://www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  52. ^ "Sydney hostage crisis: Live Report - Business Insider". Business Insider. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  53. ^ "Sydney Hostage Crisis: Major Police Operation Unfolding". TIME.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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