2nd teenager from Australia's NT charged in counterterrorism investigation

A second teenager from Australia's Northern Territory (NT) has been arrested as part of an investigation into the collection of terrorism-related material.



The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Security Intelligence Organization and NT police force said on Wednesday that the teenager was arrested at a home in Darwin on Tuesday and charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts.



It follows the October arrest of another Darwin teenager who was charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act, possessing violent extremist material obtained using a carriage service and possessing or controlling firearms and explosives manufacturing material.



Authorities said on Wednesday that further investigations led the NT's Joint Counter Terrorism Team to execute a search warrant at a Darwin home on Tuesday and make the second arrest.



During the search, investigators seized documents and electronic devices, examination of which identified material and online discussions that glorified mass casualty attacks at schools.



AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Wednesday that youth radicalization may be Australia's greatest challenge.



Sandra Booth, acting deputy commissioner of National Security Investigations at the AFP, told a parliamentary inquiry in October that AI has accelerated the speed at which young Australians can be radicalized or manipulated online.