Australia police arrest seven men after tip on possible ‘violent act’

In this photo provided by the Australian Defence Force the Australian National Flag flies on board HMAS Adelaide as the ship arrives in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, carrying disaster relief and humanitarian aid supplies. (CPL Robert Whitmore/Australian Defence Force via AP)

Armed Australian police arrested seven men in Sydney’s southwest on Thursday after a tip they may be plotting a “violent act” in the city still reeling from the Bondi Beach shooting.

“At this point in time, police have not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack,” New South Wales state police said in a statement.

Police said special tactics officers intercepted two cars after receiving information “that a violent act was possibly being planned”.

Armed police in camouflage gear searched several men as they lay face down on the road with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, according to footage obtained by local media.

One of the suspects appeared to be bleeding from a gash on his head.

A police SUV had rammed head-on into a small white hatchback driven by the suspects.

“As investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries,” police said.

Sajid Akram and his son Naveed are accused of killing 15 people in an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, Australia’s worst mass shooting for almost three decades.