Australian police said on Friday that they had foiled a terrorist plot to attack prominent sites in Melbourne over Christmas.<br /><br /> Five people have been detained in relation to the plot, which police said was inspired by the Islamic State group (ISIL).<br /><br /> Three people have been charged.<br /><br /> Several arrests were made during a series of overnight raids across Melbourne, but some of the suspects were later released.<br /><br /> Police said the plan had been to target high-profile locations, including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral “possibly on Christmas Day.”<br /><br /> Overnight, our security forces disrupted a terrorist plot aimed at central Melbourne on or around Christmas Day. https://t.co/QrapQYy2iz— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 23, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described it as one of the “most substantial terror plots” that authorities have disrupted in recent years.<br /><br /> “It (Christmas) is a time of happiness and joy,” Turnbull said. “These terrorists sought to disrupt it. They have been thwarted. They are in custody. They are no longer a threat to Australians’ security.”<br />
