SYDNEY, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have declared an alleged attempted bombing that targeted a crowd of protesters in the West Australian capital of Perth as a potential terrorist act.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Western Australia (WA) Police Force and Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) said in a joint statement on Wednesday night that counter-terrorism officers are investigating the incident that occurred on Monday afternoon as a "potential terrorist act."
A 31-year-old man from Perth's northern suburbs was arrested shortly after he threw a device, which he told police contained explosives, into a crowd of thousands of people who had gathered in central Perth to protest on Australia Day.
The WA Police Force on Tuesday charged him with one count each of making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and endangering the life, health and safety of others.
The statement issued on Wednesday night said that the WA Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation is ongoing and that further charges have not been ruled out.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said on Monday that the apparent explosive device contained ball bearings, screws and an unknown liquid in a glass container.
He told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Tuesday that it will be alleged in court that the device was designed to explode on impact.
"It had the potential to explode and injure many people or kill them," he said.
Authorities have said that there is no ongoing threat to the public. ■