Terror plotter flashes IS salute after being sentenced to 22 years

Four young men and a teenager have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms after being convicted of a terror plot targeting police officers and government buildings in Sydney.

Islamic extremist Sulayman Khalid has been senteced to 22 years and six months. (SBS) Source: SBS

The leader of the conspiracy, 22-year old Sulayman Khalid, was sentenced to a maximum 22 years and six months in prison. Described by the sentencing judge as a 'devout terrorist', Sulayman Khalid gave his family the infamous I-S salute as he was led to the cells. Khalid was the so-called leader of a six-week conspiracy to commit an IS-inspired terror attack, thwarted in late 2014. Through coded messages and secret meetings, the group of six discussed targeting officers at an Australian Federal Police building, as well as a New South Wales jail. Khalid had gained notoriety in the months prior to the plot and his subsequent arrest. His appearance on SBS's Insight, where he wore an I-S flag on his shirt, was submitted as evidence during the trial. Youtube videos where he called on people to adopt "Allah or die by the sword" were described by the judge as "confronting" and "threatening". The co-conspirators showed no emotion as their sentences were read out, but their families visibly broke down. Through tears, a relative of Sulayman Khalid yelled out "you're going to heaven" in both Arabic and English as he was led away.