Authorities are probing an incident where a man allegedly hurled a bomb at participants of a Perth Invasion Day demonstration, with the case now under the scrutiny of the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

During the rally on Monday, a 31-year-old is accused of launching an improvised explosive device (IED) filled with an unidentified liquid and shrapnel into the assembled crowd, who were there to voice their protests.

The WA Police Bomb Response Unit, along with forensic experts, has verified that the device was a “fragment bomb,” crafted with unstable chemicals intended to detonate upon contact.

Surveillance footage, made public by WA police, captures a man flinging the glass device at Forrest Place, narrowly missing the crowd, before fleeing the scene.

Following a swift identification, police apprehended the suspect, leading to his court appearance on Tuesday, where he faced charges of creating or possessing an explosive and acting with intent to inflict harm.

He did not apply for bail and the matter was adjourned until 17 February.

The court granted a suppression order of the man’s identity due to fears for his safety.

On Wednesday evening, it was confirmed that the man is now under investigation by counter terrorism authorities.

“The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA JCTT) can confirm it is investigating the incident at Forrest Place in Perth on Australia Day as a potential terrorist act,” the statement read.

The WA JCTT is made up of state and federal police, along with ASIO.

‘Throw the book at him’, Albanese says

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the man’s alleged actions were shocking.

“My view … is that they should throw the book at him,” he told reporters in Darwin this week.

“This was an incident that is quite shocking. He’s been charged with two serious offences and I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full force of the law.”

WA Police commissioner Col Blanch said it was fortunate the device did not explode.

“For whatever reason it hasn’t detonated, but it is explosive compounds and it did contain the ball bearings and the screws and/or nails,” he told Perth radio station 6PR on Tuesday.

All major capital cities hosted Invasion Day protests, while opposing right-wing March for Australia rallies took place in capitals and some regional centres on Australia Day.

January 26 is a day of mourning for many Indigenous people, marking the First Fleet’s 1788 arrival and the start of British colonisation.

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