Man of Maltese descent charged with planning terror attack

An Australian man of Maltese descent was today charged with planning a terror attack, following a series of counter-terrorism police raids in Melbourne, Australia.

Victoria’s Joint Counter-Terrorism Team arrested Philip Galea, 31, a man affiliated with anti-immigration group Reclaim Australia, after raids on three properties, theage reported.

Galea was charged with intentionally collecting and making documents connected with preparing for a terrorist act, and between 20 and August 6, 2015, committing acts in preparation for a terrorist act.

“I will be fighting these charges and I believe they are a conspiracy against the patriot movement,” Galea told a Melbourne Magistrates' Court hearing during in a brief appearance today according to the Australian Associated Press, Reuters reported.

He was refused bail.

Australian media outlets reported Galea had links to far-right organisations Reclaim Australia and True Blue Crew, with police confirming that the man had “affiliations to different organisations.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday there was no imminent threat to the safety of Victorians in the wake of the raids.

“We take the threat of terrorism very seriously ... and I will be very careful not to run too much of a commentary on this particular case, but there's no imminent threat,” he said.

Far-right political parties opposed to Islam and Asian immigration are on the rise in Australia.

Reclaim Australia and True Blue Crew, which are not political parties, have previously been involved in violent clashes with pro-immigration groups at rallies in Melbourne.