Arrests as extra police deploy in Sydney

21 Sep 2012, 7:27 pm   -   Source: AAP

A man has been charged with inciting violence in Sydney's CBD this weekend as extra police prepare to deploy to prevent a repeat of last weekend's riots

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A man has been charged with inciting violence in Sydney's CBD as hundreds of extra police prepare to patrol the city to prevent a repeat of last Saturday's riots.

The anti-West violence by angry Muslim protesters prompted the US Consulate General to advise Americans in Sydney to avoid Hyde Park and Martin Place this weekend.

But authorities hope commonsense prevails and say they are not expecting a repeat of last week's violent clashes between protesters and police.

The rioting was sparked by anger over the US anti-Islam YouTube film, Innocence of Muslims, but Sydney's Islamic community leaders have since condemned the violence and urged no further protests.

On Friday police arrested a 20-year-old man in Ingleburn in Sydney's southwest and charged him with recruiting persons to engage in criminal activity and publishing to incite, urge or aid the commission of a crime.

Detectives have been monitoring social networking sites this week and allege the man used websites and text messages to incite more violence this weekend.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Penrith Local Court on October 15.

A second man, aged 21, was arrested in The Rocks in central Sydney on Friday on suspicion of inciting and promoting violence through social networking websites and was being interviewed by detectives.

Around 300 additional police officers are being brought in to monitor potential flashpoints in the CBD and respond to any unrest, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke said on Friday.

He said people of all nationalities should be safe and encouraged people to go about their business as usual over the weekend.

US Embassy and consular staff have emailed an emergency advisory to registered American citizens in Australia saying "fast-forming anti-American protests in Australia remain possible".

"US citizens should in all cases avoid any political demonstrations that may develop."

NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher "congratulated" the US consulate on the precautionary measure, adding that he was confident common sense was prevailing.

French diplomats in Australia are also taking precautions after Muslims around the world were outraged by disrespectful cartoons in a French magazine.

Security has been upgraded at the French consulate in Sydney, but no special advice had been issued to French citizens, a French Embassy spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Australia's high commission in Islamabad has been temporarily closed due to fears of violent protests in the Pakistan capital.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said violence was unacceptable.

"I certainly said it immediately after the conduct last weekend, and I'm very happy to say it again - there is no excuse for violence," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"We live in a wonderful multicultural democracy. That brings rights and it brings responsibilities, and amongst those responsibilities is always abiding by the rule of law."

Police say a further charge would be laid against former champion boxer Ahmed Elomar, 29, who is alleged to have taken part in Saturday's riots.

The former super featherweight fighter has been charged with affray and will also be charged with using a flagpole to hit a police officer during the riots, causing a gaping head wound.

Nine people have now been charged over last Saturday's violence, accused of a range of offences including assaulting police, affray and committing an act of cruelty to a police dog.

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