Austrian authorities have arrested and charged a 42-year-old man for apparently trying to help develop advanced missile detection capabilities for Islamic State.
According to the Australian Federal Police, the man was working on an early warning laser detection system and long-range guided missiles, CNN reports.
Now, Haisem Zahab, who was born in Australia, is staring down three charges; he could end up with a sentence of life in prison.
Due to Zahab’s background as an electrician, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said that Zahab’s plans were credible.
“In terms of the advice he was providing, we will allege it was fairly sophisticated and well-planned,” Colvin said.
His normal day job is installing solar panels.
Zahab has apparently never traveled to Syria or Iraq.
He did not bother applying for bail. His next court date is March 8.
“This morning, the Australian federal police arrested a 42-year-old man in the New South Wales town of Young in relation to terrorism offences,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. “Police will allege that the man arrested has sought to advise Isil on how to develop high-tech weapons capability.”
“We’ve seen Australians arrested for preparations to carry out terrorist acts or providing financial assistance to terrorist groups, we’ve seen Australians travel to the conflict zone to take up arms for (ISIS),” Turnbull said.
Turnbull added that Zahab was not planning a domestic attack.
Police relied on intelligence from within the Muslim community to nab Zahab.
The arrest is a result of 18 months of investigation, and follows two months after Australian authorities foiled a major terror attack planned for Christmas Day in Melbourne.
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