Melbourne terror accused allegedly spoke of spilling blood of non-believers in jihadi video

From Seven News

A Melbourne man made a jihadi video in which he brandished a knife, talked of spilling blood, and pledged allegiance to Islamic State, a court has heard.

Two brothers, Aran Sherani, 21, and Ari Sherani, 20, have been charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist act. The court heard Aran Sherani had made 25 videos, some of which were posted on Instagram.

Early on the day of his arrest last March, he allegedly bought a knife from a Coles supermarket in Melbourne’s north, before making an online video in which he swears allegiance to Islamic State.

Prosecutor Brett Sonnet said Aran Sherani recorded himself smiling as he brandished the knife and spoke of spilling blood, expressing a desire to engage in violent jihad.

“Is the blood of the Muslims cheap? No,” the 21-year-old allegedly said. “I will punish the kafir [unbeliever] whenever I can.”

It is also alleged the brothers started a bushfire at Humevale on February 18 last year, in an attempted terrorist act, while Aran Sherani has also been charged over a second fire at Kinglake 10 days later. According to the evidence of police forensic officer John Kelleher, video of the Humevale blaze shows it was lit using a flammable liquid, along with firestarters that he later found at the scene.

Forest fire jihad – we do know that this is a tactic

The court previously heard the Kinglake fire was lit in an area badly damaged in the deadly Black Saturday fires in 2009.

The Sherani brothers were arrested in counter-terrorism raids in Melbourne last March. They will return to court on March 15.