Attacker's Allah rant
FLINDERS Street attacker Saeed Noori rambled about Allah and the nation’s top security agency after mowing down 18 people.
Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has revealed that Noori made the comments from his hospital bed in the hours after his rampage, which left three people last night fighting for life.
“I think there was something, and I don’t know the exact detail, to do with Allah and some ramblings about ASIO (the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation),” Mr Patton said.
It had earlier been revealed that Noori mentioned the mistreatment of Muslims as a factor behind his horrific attack, during the hospital discussion with police.
Noori, 32, last night remained in custody without charge, more than a day after his arrest by an off-duty police officer at the scene where he drove down Flinders St and ploughed into pedestrians.
Mr Patton said police had found no evidence Noori planned his horrific actions or that they were terror-related.
He said detectives had, so far, uncovered no notes or other signs in his online activity to suggest the attack was premeditated.
Mr Patton said it remained unclear why Noori drove a Suzuki SUV into shoppers, workers and tourists at the Elizabeth St intersection.
Specialist counter-terrorism officers had indicated they did not believe it was related to terrorism, he said, but that could change as investigators probed further.
Police would have no hesitation laying the appropriate charges, he said. “We still haven’t ruled out terrorism. We continue to explore it,” Mr Patton said.
“It’s about exploring the evidence and the evidence will ultimately take us where it does. If that means it’s a terrorist event, so be it.”
Search warrants were yesterday executed at Noori’s home in Heidelberg West and an Oak Park property occupied by relatives.
Computer equipment and other property were seized for analysis.
Noori arrived in Australia from Afghanistan in 2004 and became a citizen of Australia two years later.
Mr Patton said Noori had been voluntarily receiving treatment under a mental health plan and had an appointment reminder in the period before the Flinders St rampage.
He said it was not known whether his use of methamphetamine was a factor in his actions.