Sydney hostage crisis: police identify lone gunman in besieged cafe

1,522 views · Published 22 January 2015 · 0:26 · Indexed 23 September 2026

Channel: News Direct · 2015 · News & Politics

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Police said there is only one confirmed gunman in the besieged Sydney cafe and have identified him as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian who moved to Australia in 1996.

Five people were seen running out of the cafe but it is not clear whether they escaped or were freed. Police would not confirm how many were left inside the cafe.

Witnesses said that at least one gunman armed with a shotgun is holding around 15 hostages inside the cafe. Hostages were seen holding up a black flag bearing Arabic reading: “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.” The gunman also had hostages stand against the windows in two-hour rotations.

He reportedly demanded to speak with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and also wants an Islamic State flag delivered to the cafe, in exchange for a hostage.

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