BONUS: How undercover police radicalised an autistic child

In today's bonus episode, Secrets We Keep: Uncovered host Joey Watson interviews the parents of a young teenager with autism radicalised by covert Australian Federal Police (AFP) operatives and later charged with terrorism. His charges were dropped by a Victorian court.

For the first time, Thomas’ parents speak publicly about the devastating moment they learned the state had pursued a criminal case against a child with significant cognitive vulnerabilities, and how a system meant to protect their son instead put him at greater risk.

Their account, alongside the court’s damning findings, that police conduct fell “profoundly short” of acceptable standards, raises questions about policing, oversight, and how a terrorism prevention program turned into an institutional failure.

Part 2 of this extraordinary story will be published on Tuesday 9 December at Secrets We Keep: Uncovered. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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POLICE RESPONSE

The AFP referred us to its previous comments regarding this matter:

• Senate Estimates LINK
• Parliamentary Joint Committee LINK

Victoria Police claimed that to their knowledge, the Imam assigned to the family through their CVE program did not record without the family’s knowledge or consent.

“Victoria Police does not publicly provide specific details of the operations or programs of this nature," a spokesperson said. "This is partly to ensure we maintain the confidentiality needs of all of those involved. The community can be reassured that we remain committed to working with the community and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to divert those vulnerable to radicalising towards violent extremism to a different path, assist those who are already holding violent extremist beliefs to disengage, and ensure the safety and security of the Victorian public.”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.