Sydney Opera House targeted in teen terrorist plot

A 16-year-old student has pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist attack targeting the Sydney Opera House during the Sydney Marathon. During a sentencing hearing, the teenager testified that he was radicalized through social media, initially encountering historical content on TikTok before being exposed to increasingly violent Islamic State propaganda and extremist material.

The teenager reported using the encrypted app Telegram to communicate with others about his desire to learn how to commit terrorism. He selected the Sydney Opera House as a target because it serves as the finish line for the marathon, providing a location with high concentrations of tourists and participants. His plan was reportedly inspired by videos of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.