Siege situation in Martin Place
Police are scouring social media, including Twitter and Facebook, to get a better idea of what is happening inside the Sydney siege as the standoff that started this morning drags into the night.
Hours after the siege began at least one hostage appears to have posted on Facebook about Monday’s siege and some of the gunman’s demands.
The post has since been taken down.
Scores of police officers are monitoring social media channels for posts like these that help shape how they handle the tense stand-off.
Five hostages fled the cafe, but an unknown number of hostages remain inside the cafe.
Lindt cafe worker Elly Chen was one of the five to escape, running down Martin Place and into the arms of heavily armed police.
Ms Chen and another woman emerged from the cafe on Monday afternoon, a short time after three men sprinted out of the cafe.
7 News reporter Chris Reason, who is in the 7 News building opposite the cafe, says the lights inside have been turned off.
The drama unfolded in front of 7 News cameras earlier today.’
Eye witnesses reported seeing the middle-aged man, bearded and sporting a black and white bandana walk into the store, show his guns to those inside, and then order the glass doors closed.
“We can see them and we can see the fear in their eyes,” said Kylie Gillies from the Seven Network, whose building was evacuated along with many others around the busy CBD.
The faces of customers and workers were pressed up against a shop window of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe.
They had their hands in the air and their eyes closed. And were made to hold up what is believed to be an Islamic State flag.
At a press conference last this afternoon NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said “we understand no-one has been injured and if that’s true for that we are grateful.
“Our number one priority is to free hostages safely.”
Up to 30 people are feared to be inside the cafe, caught by surprise when at least one gunman went inside, locked the doors and ordered customers up against the windows.
A black flag with Islamic writing was held up against the window.
The gunman in the building has since made a series of demands through social media.
More than 40 Australian Muslim groups issued a joint statement condemning the siege.
“We reject any attempt to take the innocent life of any human being or to instil fear and terror into their hearts,” they said in a statement.
The black flag shown at a window in the Lindt cafe was one commonly used by jihadist groups bearing the shahada, or profession of faith in Islam. It said: “There is no God but Allah; Mohammed is his messenger.”
The Muslim groups said the inscription “is not representative of a political statement, but reaffirms a testimony of faith that has been misappropriated by misguided individuals that represent no-one but themselves”.
“Any such despicable act only serves to play into the agendas of those who seek to destroy the goodwill of the people of Australia and to further damage and ridicule the religion of Islam and Australian Muslims throughout this country,” it added.
“Our immediate thoughts go to the hostages and their loved ones.
“We pray for their safety and hope this matter is resolved quickly and peacefully.”
Religious leaders across Australia called on their followers to unite and pray for a peaceful end to the Sydney siege.
Mosques, synagogues and churches across the country welcomed worshippers on Monday night, in what their leaders said was a show of community solidarity.
“In times of great adversity it is imperative that we remain calm, united and stand together,” Lebanese Muslim Association president Samier Dandan said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott appealed for calm, and normality, while acknowledging the gravity of the event.
“We have to appreciate that even in a society such as ours, there are people who would wish to do us harm,” Mr Abbott said.
“The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves.
“Australia is a peaceful, open, and generous society. Nothing should ever change that, and that’s why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual.”
For general information about the siege at Martin place – call the Public Information and Inquiry Centre: 1800 227 228
To report any suspicious activities – call the National Security Hotline: 1800 1234 00
For transport updates – call: 131 500
For emergencies – call: 000
Source: Yahoo AU
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