Australia releases 7 men detained after possible violent plot tied to Bondi Beach shooting
Police say the men, ages 19 to 24 from Victoria, were not charged and are being monitored as investigations continue; one was reportedly under ASIO scrutiny.
Sydney authorities released seven men who had been detained in a Sydney operation tied to concerns that a violent act was being planned in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting. NSW Police said the men were not charged and were released on Thursday after Tactical Operations officers intercepted two vehicles and detained the group. Police emphasized there is no immediate safety risk to the community and that investigations will continue as officers review all available evidence.
The operation was based on information suggesting a violent act could be imminent. The men, aged 19 to 24 and from Victoria, were detained in connection with the inquiry, with investigators saying they acted quickly to disrupt any potential threat. Police added that the matter remains under review and that the investigation is ongoing. 
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson defended the tactics used, saying officers sought to interdict potential threats at a point where risk could be mitigated and evidence collected for a court, rather than waiting for a full brief of evidence. He noted that authorities are balancing rapid action with the requirement to build a prosecutable case, adding that the approach was appropriate for the circumstances.
Some media reports had suggested the men were traveling from Melbourne to Bondi Beach, the site of the Hanukkah-week shooting, but one of the group later told reporters it was not so. “No, why would we go there? Too much headache… it was too far from where we were anyway,” he said, rejecting the assertion that the trip indicated extremist intent and saying the group was in the area for a holiday when questioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Bondi Beach attack, which occurred on Dec. 14-15, 2025, stunned the Sydney suburb and the nation, magnifying concerns about homegrown extremism. Australian authorities have highlighted the broader security implications and the possible need to coordinate across state lines in counterterrorism investigations. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the men would remain under monitoring in New South Wales and said the force would continue to work with their counterparts in Victoria as the inquiry progresses. One member of the group was reported to be under investigation by ASIO, with intelligence sources confirming the development to ABC.
Israel’s intelligence services reportedly warned Australia about Iranian terror networks operating in the region, a context that officials say underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation and vigilance. In Melbourne, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan cautioned against premature conclusions about the group’s motives or travel patterns, saying authorities had publicly acknowledged the swift action and that information available at the time did not justify speculation.
As the investigation continues, NSW authorities stressed that the seven men remain under observation and that there is ongoing collaboration with Victorian police to monitor any evolving risk. Officials did not indicate when a formal update would be provided, but emphasized that the case remains active and that investigators will pursue all available leads. The case highlights ongoing national concerns about potential violent plots linked to extremist ideologies and the need for rapid, coordinated counterterrorism responses across jurisdictions.