Why are Australian police accused of further radicalizing a 13-year-old boy with autism?

Australian police targeted an autistic 13-year-old fixated on ISIS, further radicalizing him, even recommending he become a sniper and suicide bomber. Magistrate found their behavior egregious, undermining attempts to address his fixation therapeutically. Outrage over abuse of power and excessive resources used. Calls for public inquiry and concern for the impact on the boy and his family. 😡

The Case Timeline 🕰️

The story centers around a 13-year-old autistic boy who was fixated on the Islamic State. The police were contacted by his parents to help with his fixation, but the situation took a drastic and controversial turn.

The court documents revealed a shocking timeline of events. After the parents asked for police assistance, the boy was targeted in an undercover operation by the AFP. This operation resulted in the accused victim demonstrating behavior that was considered a dangerous escalation, leading to him being charged with counterterrorism offenses.

This led to his detention in youth detention for almost two years until a permanent stay was ordered in October 2023. The court found that the undercover operation effectively groomed the boy to further radicalize, going as far as suggesting becoming a sniper or a suicide bomber.

Police’s Treatment of the Case 🚨

The escalation of events and the nature of the tactics used by the police sparked widespread outrage and accusations of an abuse of power and authority. The joint counterterrorism team’s resources used to prosecute a 13-year-old boy with autism have been questioned.

The police claimed that their therapeutic efforts to change the boy’s behavior were running alongside the undercover operation, but the court rejected this claim, stating that the two approaches were in conflict and deemed the situation as nonsensical.

The aftermath of this case has led to calls for a public inquiry, and the AFP has initiated a series of reviews into the operation. The impact on the boy and his family is still being assessed, including plans for his future schooling and the broader implications of the experience.

Impact and Future Outlook 🌍

The impact of the entire experience on the boy, his family, and their lives is substantial, and there are ongoing efforts to understand and address these consequences. The plans for the boy’s future and schooling are being considered amidst the aftermath, shedding light on the broader repercussions of this case.

In summary, the controversy surrounding the treatment of this 13-year-old autistic boy by the Australian police has raised significant concerns and sparked calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the operation.