00:00Syed Eran Aker, also known as Aaron, is a wanted man who is believed to have fled Australia
00:08more than a year ago.
00:09Now police sources have told ABC News he's a key suspect in the plot to stage a potential
00:15terror attack by filling a caravan with explosives and a note referencing the Great Jewish Synagogue.
00:22Authorities this week announced it was all a hoax orchestrated by organised criminals
00:26along with the recent spate of anti-Semitic attacks across Sydney.
00:30We're looking at a number of targets offshore and looking at how that is interacting with
00:37local organised crime figures for the furthering of these types of plots.
00:42Syed Aker skipped bail after being charged with drug importation offences in 2023.
00:48The 35-year-old previously owned a number of businesses in NSW, including a gym.
00:55He remained on bail awaiting trial and in July 2023 he was allowed to travel to Queensland.
01:01It's then alleged he fled the country and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
01:06As authorities try to pinpoint who has been orchestrating the recent attacks in Sydney,
01:11they revealed this week they don't believe they were motivated by anti-Semitism.
01:16We believe the person pulling the strings wanted changes to their criminal status but
01:21maintained a distance from their scheme and hired alleged local criminals to carry out
01:26parts of their plan.
01:28Before the suspected motive was revealed, the government rushed through controversial
01:32hate speech laws in response to the anti-Semitic attacks.
01:36They're now facing growing criticism for that decision.
01:39Some of that criticism has come from within government ranks.
01:43One Labor backbencher said a number of MPs were ropeable.
01:47Another accused the Premier of deception.
01:49There are two or three individuals who voiced their opinion against these laws in the first place.
01:56I've been in this place for a few years now.
01:59I've never seen a unified caucus in any political party on any issue.
02:03Labor MP Linda Voltz says her Western Sydney constituents are unhappy about the narrow
02:08scope of the new hate speech offence.
02:11It doesn't capture Islamophobia where there have been huge increases amongst my community.
02:17Two peak Muslim bodies have also released a statement accusing the Premier of increasing
02:22fear and Islamophobia with his handling of the incidents.
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