Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder

Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder

Police do not believe the incident was terror related The driver accused of deliberately mowing down..

Nicole Morley

Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder
Police do not believe the incident was terror related

The driver accused of deliberately mowing down pedestrians in Melbourne has been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder.

Saeed Noori reportedly ploughed into Christmas shoppers on a busy street was charged on Saturday with 18 counts of attempted murder and one count of conduct endangering life.

The Thursday incident was the second serious vehicle attack in Australia’s second biggest city this year.

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Police said they had charged the man, former Afghanistan refugee Saeed Noori, after formally interviewing him about the attack that police had earlier described as a ‘deliberate act’.

Police have said Noori, 32, is known to have mental health problems and to use drugs and they did not believe the attack was terrorism-related.

Police suspect Noori was behind the wheel of a white SUV when he deliberately sped up and drove into dozens of pedestrians crossing the road at one of the busiest intersections in Melbourne’s central business district.

Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder
Police detain the suspected driver (Picture: Twitter)
Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder
A damaged vehicle at the scene of an incident on Flinders Street, in Melbourne, Australia (Picture: Reuters)

Noori appeared in the Magistrates Court later on Saturday where he was remanded in custody. He will next appear in court on Wednesday. The court also ordered that Noori be assessed by psychologists.

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Islamist militants have used vehicles to attack people several times in Europe and the United States over the past couple of years.

In January, six people were killed in Melbourne’s central business district when a man used his vehicle to mow them down. Police also ruled out terrorism for that attack.

Driver who ‘mowed down crowds’ in Melbourne charged with 18 counts of attempted murder
A vehicle ploughed into crowds on the busy Melbourne street (Picture: Reuters)

Following the January incident, authorities installed 140 concrete bollards in the city centre.

Victoria State premier Daniel Andrews said 12 people remained in hospital, including three who in critical condition.

He said there would be an increased police presence at Melbourne events, including the Boxing Day Test Cricket, carols and other major sports events.

More: World

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