A Queensland PhD candidate has been accused of planning to throw a molotov cocktail at an Australia Day crowd, as part of an alleged terrorist plot to overthrow the government and replace it with a “cybernetics” alternative, a court has heard.
Sepehr Saryazdi, 24, allegedly planned an attack for Monday’s celebrations to promote a new phase of civilisation powered by artificial intelligence, a court heard on Thursday.
He has been accused of targeting a Gold Coast event, allegedly posting online that he would be leading Australia Day “riots” on the popular tourist strip.
Saryazdi appeared in Brisbane magistrates court on Thursday, hours after being charged with the preparation of or planning for a terrorist act.
According to court documents, he allegedly bought bottles of alcohol, wrapping paper and a blanket between 4 and 9 January in preparation for the attack.
Crown prosecutor Ellie McDonald opposed bail, telling the court Saryazdi had made “extremely concerning” comments in a Facebook chat.
“He states, ‘I’ll be leading the Gold Coast riots on January 26’,” McDonald told the court.
“‘If you know people in Melbourne let them know so they can start buying vodka bottles early and stockpiling batches’.”
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Saryazdi allegedly said he expected to die during the Gold Coast attack unless he was killed or lobotomised by the Australian spy agency, Asio, the court heard.
He allegedly added that his actions were “purely logical given the trajectory of this nation”.
“I recommend learning how to shoot guns at shooting ranges while you can,” he said on Facebook, the court heard.
Saryazdi allegedly told police he saw the government as “turning tyrannical” and wanted to replace it with a “cybernetics” alternative where society was guided by AI and data analysis.
He allegedly had a document titled “Australia’s future cybernetics government the next phase of civilization”.
Saryazdi has a master of mathematical sciences from the University of Sydney, according to his online profiles.
He also described himself as a PhD candidate with the CSIRO data and digital specialist arm and Australian Centre for Robotics.
Saryazdi intended to make national news and bring people together with attention to his disenchantment with the government, according to his Legal Aid solicitor, Hellen Shilton.
He had a very isolated lifestyle and lost contact with his parents since moving interstate to Brisbane, she told the court.
“He became influenced a bit by the new people he associated with. He was watching videos of protests,” Shilton said.
“He admits he became quite overwhelmed emotionally. He felt he should do something with the way the world was going … it was never his intention to hurt anyone.”
At the point of allegedly purchasing the alcohol and other items, reality started to sink in and he had made silly choices about his cause, his solicitor told the court.
“He has never taken part in any protests,…
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